Forget about Johor: South China coach Casemiro Mior wants to beat Kitchee in Community Cup

South China coach Casemiro Mior urged his players to rise to the occasion in the latest phase of their rivalry with Kitchee in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Cup at Mong Kok Stadium on Sunday.

At stake in the charity match is HK$350,000 for the winners but, more importantly, it gives the Caroliners a chance to heal and rebuild their confidence after a disastrous night in the AFC Cup on Tuesday.

With a 1-1 advantage from the away first leg over Malaysia's Johor, South China blew their chance of reaching the semi-finals by losing the home match 3-1 in front of a full house of 6,400.

"The players were very upset after the defeat, but there is no time to wallow in remorse as they must recover, mentally and physically, quickly," said the Brazilian.

"If we can beat Kitchee, we can come back. The players also understood this as well and I am sure they will put Tuesday's defeat behind them by playing a good match on Sunday to win back their own confidence and the hearts of the fans who came to support us against Johor."

The Community Cup offers the biggest prize money in domestic competition. The runners-up will receive HK$150,000, while HK$300,000 goes to the other seven league teams.

Another HK$200,000 goes to the Football Association out of HK$1 million in sponsorship from the Jockey Club. The winners must donate HK$100,000 to their nominated charity organisation while the runners-up must commit HK$50,000.

Mior said speedy winger Mahama Awal is out for three weeks after pulling his thigh muscle on Tuesday. Brazilian Lucas da Silva will replace Boima Karpeh up front, while his countryman Luiz Veira will take charge in midfield. Sean Tse Ka-keung will be back in central defence with Cheung Kin-fung preferred to Chak Ting-fung as left back.

South China lifted the inaugural Community Cup when they beat Kitchee 2-0 last year.