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Paul McNamara

Hong Kong Premier League champions Kitchee have sought answers from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) over whether they will be bumped up to the revamped AFC Champions League Elite next season.
The continental governing body recently recommended that its premier competition be increased from 24 to 32 teams in time for 2026-27, leaving some clubs in the dark over where they will fit in.
After wrapping up the local league title with four matches to spare last month, Kitchee had expected to compete in the secondary AFC Champions League Two.
Head coach Inigo Calderon said the club were “asking questions” and that the situation was “not clear”.
“I’ve only heard rumours; one said there would maybe be a playoff to get into the Elite, but if you lost it you wouldn’t get ACL2, which wouldn’t make sense,” Calderon said.
“It should be [decided] already, they don’t have to wait too much because everyone needs time to plan for next season.”

Calderon said he would prefer it if his side played in the weaker tournament, although he acknowledged that in his first year managing in Asia he was not fully versed in either competition.
“The Elite could look more attractive but the level of teams from those counties [competing] is much higher, so maybe I will say ACL2,” he said. “It’s still hard, but you have a chance to do something and it’s big enough to attract fans in Hong Kong to watch.”
After undertaking a fine rehabilitation job in his debut campaign, following two rough years for the club, Calderon said he would “99 per cent be here next season”.
“When I came, I said my plan was to compete in the league and give chances to young players, but also to be a bit more selfish as a coach,” he said. “The Asian competition is something you want to taste, it wasn’t easy to qualify and now that we have it makes sense for me to stay.”
By Calderon’s own admission, Kitchee have switched off since the 2-0 victory over BC Rangers three weeks ago that clinched their first title since 2023. They were soundly beaten 3-0 at Tai Po on Saturday for a third straight winless match.
Still, the Spaniard said he was untroubled by the dip, pointing to the 2010-11 campaign when he won England’s League One with Brighton & Hove Albion.
“We were champions with four games to go and we couldn’t win another match, they were probably the worst four games of my career,” he said. “It’s difficult to keep the level when you’ve already achieved something very difficult.
“It has no effect on momentum for next season, we’re playing young players and it’s good for them to have some minutes.”

For Tai Po, their victory on Saturday was a fifth in a row in the league and another timely boost ahead of their critical FA Cup semi-final against Rangers in three weeks. Champions last season, Tai Po must win the cup to qualify again for Asian football.
Lee Chi-kin, the head coach, would say only that he was “still talking” to his bosses over plans for next season, after Francis and Catherine Yip, the husband-and-wife pair who bankroll the club, strongly denied they would withdraw their support.
On the field, Patrick Valverde returned from three months with a rib injury to score twice inside the opening 13 minutes. Fernando netted a free-kick after half-time.
Lee called Valverde a “special player for us” and admitted to being “really scared” when the Brazilian midfielder went down with an arm injury towards the end of the game.
The Tai Po boss also said he could not allow the semi-final to cloud selection for his team’s closing league fixtures.
“We have to try our best in every game, we can’t control injuries,” Lee said. “No player can be 100 per cent after a long season, but it’s the same for every team.”


Hong Kong title winners Kitchee seeking Asian Champions League answers

Saudi PIF-owned Al-Ahli beat Japanese rivals for AFC Champions League Elite history

AFC Champions League Elite final: Japanese team with school coach to cap remarkable journey

Chinese referee Ma Ning remains in Jeddah after AFC Champions League Elite controversy

AFC Champions League

Kitchee won the league last month but remain in the dark over which Asian competition they will enter next season. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Inigo Calderon is ‘99 per cent sure’ he will still be in charge of Kitchee next season. Photo: Kitchee SC

Patrick Valverde (left)  returned from injury to score twice against Kitchee. Photo: Tai Po FC

Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong ‘on journey to reach potential’ in China as he hunts first title

Coleman Wong watches the ball fly off his backhand in the Hongkonger’s semi-final victory over Sun Fajing in Jiujiang. Photo: Weibo

Coleman Wong, here in action against Bu Yunchaokete, is into the Jiujiang final without dropping a set. Photo: Weibo

Sun Fajing strikes a forehand during his straight sets defeat by Coleman Wong in Jiujiang. Photo: Weibo

Hong Kong Olympic cyclist Boey Leung at peace with retirement after finishing on high

Boey Leung is still riding her bike despite retiring from the sport following a fine career. Photo: Edmond So

Boey Leung chats with head coach Herve Dagorne during training last year. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Boey Leung relaxes at Go Park Sai Sha after talking to the the SCMP. Photo: Edmond So

Boey Leung’s battered helmet following her 2024 crash in Canada. Photo: Herve Dagorne

Boey Leung (right) helps sister Chloe straighten her medal on the Asian Games podium in 2023. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Football

Continental governing body proposing revamp of its club competitions, city champions in dark over plans for next season


Continental governing body proposing revamp of its club competitions, city champions in dark over plans for next season.


Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

Kitchee SC

Inigo Calderon

Lee Chi-kin

Hong Kong title winners Kitchee seeking Asian Champions League answers

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Continental governing body proposing revamp of its club competitions, city champions in dark over plans for next season

Continental governing body proposing revamp of its club competitions, city champions in dark over plans for next season