Premier League title race could be settled on Sunday after Kitchee stop rot to prolong Lee Man’s wait
- Kitchee get a win at last after torrid run that added to the uncertainty surrounding their coach
- Lee Man must still earn a point from their match away to Sham Shui Po to be crowned champions – or can try again against Kitchee on final day
Kim Dong-jin, the under-fire interim Kitchee head coach, paid tribute to his players’ “character and mentality” following a 3-0 victory over Southern that kept alive the Hong Kong Premier League title race.
Kitchee’s season had imploded over a harrowing first half of May, with three successive defeats in three competitions, while Kim was relegated to a back-seat role for cup losses against Eastern and BC Rangers in the past week.
And the South Korean again adopted a low touchline profile on Saturday, as assistant manager Edgar Cardoso demonstratively coached the reigning champions.
Kim refused to comment on his future after Kitchee stopped the rot, with Fernando, Charlie Scott and Cleiton Velasques all on target against a compliant Southern.
The victory means Lee Man must earn at least one point at Sham Shui Po on Sunday to wrap up the title. Defeat for the leaders would set up a last-day title shoot-out with Kitchee next Sunday.
Kitchee strengthened their grip on second position, at least, with Tai Po surprisingly held 1-1 at RCFC to slip two points behind Kim’s team in third.
