AFC Champions League 2: Tai Po boss aiming for grand finale, but team have ‘lots to learn’
Lee Chi-kin aiming for performance to repay loyal fans as local champions wrap up campaign against Cong An Hanoi at Mong Kok Stadium
Lee Chi-kin acknowledged Tai Po “still have a lot to learn” about competing against the continent’s best teams, ahead of their farewell AFC Champions League Two clash with Cong An Hanoi on Thursday.
The local champions have made a good fist of their first Asian venture since 2020, but a 2-1 away defeat by Macarthur in Australia a fortnight ago condemned them to a group-stage exit with one match remaining. They lost all three away games, but have managed one win and one draw at home.
Already qualified Cong An Hanoi need a victory at Mong Kok Stadium, coupled with defeat for Macarthur away against Beijing Guoan, to go through as group winners.
“I don’t care about [our opponents’] mentality for the game, what matters most is that we focus on doing our job well,” head coach Lee said.
“We really still have a lot to learn. We need to understand how to handle away games better, not just rely on picking up points at home.”
Tai Po surprisingly dropped league points in a 2-2 draw at Football Club on Sunday, after Lee rested a host of key players.
He vowed to field his strongest available team against the Vietnamese visitors, although influential defender Gabriel Cividini is an injury doubt.