AFC Champions League: confident Baena ready to make history with Kitchee, as Hong Kong club chase spot in last 16
- Spanish midfielder Raul Baena knows draw against Vissel Kobe should be enough to seal place in next phase of competition
- Two sides clash on Sunday night, and Kitchee coach Alex Chu says it will be safety first for his team
Raul Baena is confident Kitchee SC will cement their place in the next stage of the AFC Champions League when they take on Vissel Kobe in their final Group J match on Sunday night.
A draw will put the Hong Kong side in a comfortable spot for the last 16 as one of the three best runners-up and Baena is looking forward to creating history with the Hong Kong champions.
The Spanish midfielder, who was part of the Kitchee side that narrowly missed out on qualifying last year, is confident the players will carry Kitchee into the next round at the second time of asking.
“We had a recovery session and are now focused on the game. We are confident and are going to give our 100 per cent because we have a big chance to make history,” he said.
“Last season we could not qualify due to one goal but we did very well. We showed that we are not here to play a few games and now everyone respects us.
“This season is a confirmation that what we did last season was not based on luck. We are growing and want to continue improving, that is our mentality.”
The two sides have already played each other once in this season’s competition, with Vissel Kobe winning 2-1, but Kitchee head coach Alex Chu Chi-kwong said his side were better placed to beat their Japanese opponents this time around.
