The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong Premier League runners-up Lee Man vow 3 more signings as they up pressure on Kitchee

After already luring Paulo Simionato and Luis Nunes, the club are set to bring in two European forwards and a local player

They also retain star men Everton Camargo and Gil Martins, with coach Tsang Chiu-tat seeking ‘healthy competition’ for domestic and Champions League push

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(From left) Poon Sheung-hei, Paulo Simionato and Luis Nunes are Lee Man’s new faces so far, pictured with coach Chu Siu-kei. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Published: 6:36pm, 27 Jun 2023Updated: 6:41pm, 27 Jun 2023

Lee Man have promised at least three more signings to join the two already announced as they go all out to try to end Kitchee’s dominance in next season’s Hong Kong Premier League.

The ambitious club were pipped to last season’s title in a final-day showdown, when Kitchee came back against them to salvage the point they needed and leave Lee Man as runners-up.

But the challengers have lined up reinforcements – and will return wiser, captain Ngan Lok-fung said on Tuesday as he and his teammates began preseason early with their AFC Champions League debut in August to prepare for.

“We paid a heavy price for the Kitchee match but learned the lesson,” Ngan said. “We have strengthened and the players gained experience from last season. We are confident.”

Lee Man hope for a good campaign as they begin their preseason in Tseung Kwan O. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

His side needed to win that decider to snatch the silverware, and twice led Kitchee before being held 2-2. But head coach Tsang Chiu-tat said a trio of newcomers were set to boost their next tilt.

Striker Paulo Simionato, who scored 16 goals last season for Tai Po, had already joined, as had centre back Luis Nunes, from Southern.