Sun Hei coach Santos wants a final flourish

Convoy Sun Hei coach Leslie Santos said winning the League Cup would be a great ending to his career with the side, but added he hoped his players had a broader motivation to succeed.

Sun Hei take on TSW Pegasus in the final at Mong Kok Stadium today, the second time the sides will have met this season in a cup final and his last match in charge after 11 years as a player and coach. Santos quit the team after taking them through to the League Cup semi-finals in early March, but extended his stay after a petition from the players and management.

'I would be very happy to leave the team on a high note with a trophy,' said Santos. 'But the match is not just about the coach. Many of the players have never won a cup, such as Giovane da Silva and goalkeeper Wei Chao. They are worthy of a title after making such great contributions to the team.'

Sun Hei were thrashed 3-0 by Pegasus in the Senior Shield final in December, but Santos said it would be a different story this time.

'We beat them 1-0 at their home ground in Yuen Long in February,' said Santos. 'That result's given the players a tremendous boost. Also, we are having a strong run in recent weeks.'

The coach knows the absence of midfielder Wilfred Bamnjo would be a great loss to them and he had to rely on former Hong Kong international Lai Kai-cheuk to take up the role.

Bamnjo was sent off in their last match for a two-footed lunge on a Kitchee player.

Pegasus, meanwhile, will be missing former Japanese star Masayuki Okano who was sent off in the goalless draw against Eastern on Tuesday.