Kitchee stun Kelantan to reach AFC Cup last eight

Kitchee became only the third team from Hong Kong to reach the AFC Cup quarter-finals after upsetting hosts Kelantan of Malaysia 2-0 in the round of 16 at Sultan Mohammad IV Stadium in Kota Bharu last night.

Having finished group E in second place, the Hong Kong FA Cup champions had to play away against the group G winners in a one-off tie. Although the visitors were pinned in defence for most of the 90 minutes, two goals in the first half confirmed their place in the last eight, which will be played in September.

"We are celebrating our 10th year back in the First Division of Hong Kong soccer and this result is yet another reason for us to rejoice," said a delighted Kitchee boss Ken Ng Kin. "We played a good first half and were able to protect our lead well in the second period.

"The quarter-finals will not start until the new [Hong Kong] season and we have to wait for the arrival of our new coach before we start planning for the next stage. In the meantime, our focus will be on the [four-team domestic] play-offs, so we can compete in the AFC Cup next year, too."

Sun Hei and South China are the two other Hong Kong teams to have previously reached the quarter-finals of the regional competition.