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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
SportFootball

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

  • 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
AFC Champions League
Jonathan White
Jonathan White
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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.

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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