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Jonathan White

Hong Kong title winners Kitchee’s AFC Champions League hopes could be given a boost if reports in the mainland media are to be believed.
The Yangcheng Evening News was among those to report that Chinese Super League giants Guangzhou FC – who are drawn in the same group as Kitchee – may choose to send a reserve team to the tournament in June and July.
This year’s group stage has been pushed back as the Asian Football Confederation and the region’s domestic leagues have had to adjust the schedule to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last week the AFC confirmed that the group stage would take place in June and July, which clashes with the second stage of the Chinese Super League.

Kitchee beat Eastern SC to win the HK Premier League again. Next month Guangzhou FC will face the HK Premier League champion in the ACL. As per local media, Guangzhou are likely to field a team consisted of young players and academy players due to the clash with the CSL schedule. pic.twitter.com/QaWvOsN5gI
— Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) May 24, 2021

Group J, which also features Thai League 1 side Port FC and whoever wins the play-off between Australia’s Melbourne City and Japan’s Cerezo Osaka, is set to be held in Thailand from June 22.
Fabio Cannavaro’s Guangzhou FC are reported to be sending a team of youth players to represent them rather than the first team, as the CSL resumes following its break for China’s Fifa World Cup qualifiers that begin this month.
Damjanovic double seals back-to-back HKPL crowns for Kitchee
It has been reported that the other Chinese club in this year’s competition, Beijing Guoan, will do the same as they prioritise the domestic league. Shanghai Port could join them in the Champions League but first have to come through their qualifying play-off.
This is Kitchee’s sixth appearance in Asia’s premier club competition, which celebrates its 40th year this season.
The newly crowned Hong Kong Premier League champions last played in the Champions League in 2019 when they failed to pass the preliminary round. They recorded a first group stage victory in 2018.


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AFC Champions League

Kitchee boost as Guangzhou FC reveal plan to send youth team to AFC Champions League

Kitchee fans show their support ahead of the 2018 AFC Champions League group game against South Korean K-League side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Dejan Damjanovic double seals back-to-back HKPL crowns for Kitchee

Kitchee’s Dejan Damjanovic bears down on the Eastern goal in the 2020-21 Hong Kong Premier League title decider at Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: HKFA

Eastern Long Lions’ Lucas Espindila Day Silva goals during the final match against Kitchee during the BOC Hong Kong Premier League at the Hong Kong Stadium.23MAY21 SCMP / K. Y. Cheng

Kitchee celebrate winning the 2020-21 Hong Kong Premier League title after beating rivals Eastern 2-0 at Hong Kong Stadium.  Photo: HKFA

Kitchee to battle it with Eastern in Hong Kong Premier League title showdown on Sunday

Pegasus’ Marquinhos and Kitchee’s Park Jun-heong battle for battle during their Hong Kong Premier League clash at Mong Kok Stadium. Photos: K.Y. Cheng

Tin Shui Wai Pegasus ‘s no.8 Chan Hui-fung in action with Kitchee’s no.2 Law Tsz-chun during the BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League at Mong Kok Stadium. 19MAY21 SCMP / K. Y. Cheng

Tin Shui Wai Pegasus’s no.7 (yellow shirt)Suen Ming-him goal in first half during the match against Kitchee during the BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League at Mong Kok Stadium. 19MAY21 SCMP / K. Y. Cheng

Kitchee loss to Lee Man takes Hong Kong Premier League title race to Eastern game

Eastern’s Sandro in action against TSW Pegasus in the Hong Kong Premier League. Photo: HKFA

Southern's Zesh Rehman battles with Happy Valley's Mikael Severo in the Hong Kong Premier League. Photo: HKFA

Hong Kong Premier League leaders Kitchee in touching distance of retaining title as top flight splits into two

Kitchee’s Dejan Damjanovic tries to escape the attentions of Southern’s Kota Kawase in the final game of the 2020-21 Hong Kong Premier League regular season. Photo: HKFA

Sport

Football

Hong Kong


Reports say Fabio Cannavaro’s side will send a reserve team to Thailand for ACL group J as it clashes with Chinese Super League
Kitchee return to Asia’s elite competition for first time since 2019 preliminary round loss, also face Melbourne City or Cerezo Osaka



Reports say Fabio Cannavaro’s side will send youth teamers to Thailand for ACL group J as it clashes with Chinese Super League.
