Kitchee players silenced, coach’s status a mystery in Sapling Cup final flop as Rangers win first trophy in 29 years
- Yakubu Nassam Ibrahim’s goal gives BC Rangers first silverware since 1995, Kitchee fail to force goalkeeper into a single save
- Kitchee remain quiet over head coach situation after Kim Dong-jin again marginalised, players told not to talk about issue
Confusion and chaos continue to engulf Kitchee, after the reigning champions’ miserable season reached its nadir with a 1-0 Sapling Cup final defeat by BC Rangers on Wednesday.
Interim head coach Kim Dong-jin again remained glued to the bench, while Edgar Cardoso, Kim’s assistant, seemingly managed the team. The same unedifying scenario unfolded on Sunday, when Kitchee crashed out of the FA Cup to Eastern.
Yakubu Nassam Ibrahim was left completely unattended to head home the winning goal after 40 minutes. The Sapling Cup is Rangers’ first silverware since 1995, while this victory avenged a 7-1 FA Cup final humbling by Kitchee almost a year ago to the day.
While jubilant Rangers began their celebrations, Kim disappeared down the tunnel refusing interview requests.
Tan Chun-lok, the Kitchee midfielder, said his team was experiencing “a low moment”, and acknowledged confidence had plunged. Asked about Kitchee’s managerial situation, Tan said: “I don’t know anything”, before revealing the club had asked players not to comment.
Kitchee remained in with a quadruple chance at the beginning of May, following their Senior Shield success in February. A league defeat by Eastern, coupled with leaders Lee Man’s relentless form, have put paid to Kitchee’s chances of a fourth straight title, although their hopes are not mathematically finished.