Kitchee caught out by Sing Tao revival

A CLINICAL performance from Sing Tao earned them a 2-0 victory over Kitchee at Mongkok Stadium last night - and dashed Kitchee's hopes of going top of the Hongkong First Division.

Kitchee, last season's Second Division champions, would have moved a point clear of Eastern and Michelotti had they picked up three points against Sing Tao.

But the First Division new boys fell victim to a typical smash and grab raid by the Tigers, who scored a goal in each half with some neat counter-attacking and cool opportunism to back up a solid defensive display.

While Kitchee remained third on 13 points, two points off the pace, Sing Tao moved up two places to fifth, thanks to their third victory in six league matches.

And their best display of the season has offered hope of a brighter year for Sing Tao, who ended 1991 in a blaze of glory by winning the Camelpaint Challenge Shield but endured a barren 1992.

Skipper Tsang Wai-chung said: ''It was our aim to play a strong defensive game and to attack on the break and those tactics worked well.

''I was very happy with our spirit, although I didn't think we played particularly well overall.

''Kitchee are a bit down now after such a good start to the season; their morale is not as high as it was and they were not as strong physically.

''But if we can maintain this kind of fighting spirit for the rest of the season there is no reason why 1993 cannot be a much better year than 1992.'' Although it was Sing Tao's first outing since their Challenge Shield semi-final defeat at the hands of South China way back on December 6 - a break of 39 days - it was certainly their most complete performance of a stop-start campaign.

The dash and enthusiasm which have accompanied Kitchee into the top flight were countered by the patient, disciplined passing game of Sing Tao, who showed much better composure on the ball.

Kitchee striker John Clare caused problems early on, striking a crisp right-foot shot just wide and seeing a powerful back-post header turned over smartly by Peter Guthrie, but it was Sing Tao who went in front in the 27th minute.

When Kitchee goalkeeper Chung Ho-yin was caught out of position, former Hongkong international midfielder Tang Kam-tim knocked over a fine cross from the right and Lau Chi-yuen steered in a low volley.

Kitchee came close to an equaliser in the 65th minute when a moment's indecision by Guthrie allowed Clare a free header, only for the ball to loop over the 'keeper and hit the crossbar.

Sing Tao took full advantage of the let-off by scoring a second 10 minutes from full-time. After a right-wing raid - led by the highly impressive Paul Murray - broke down, Sing Tao were quick to tackle back and regain possession. Again Tang was the provider, crossing from the right for centre-forward John Moore to flick in a header.

It was the big centre-forward's third goal of the season - and a fitting reward for a strong-running performance as the solitary striker.

A sure sign that Sing Tao are re-emerging as a force to be reckoned with is that they have conceded only one goal in their last five matches after letting in 10 in their opening three games of the season.

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