South China set to compete in AFC Champions League qualifiers
Club boss Steven Lo confirms Caroliners will be in play-offs for regional top tier spot
South China will strengthen their squad after news they will compete in the Asian Champions League (ACL) qualifying play-offs early next year.
Team convenor Steven Lo Kit-sing confirmed yesterday that they had been chosen ahead of Kitchee to represent Hong Kong in the region's top-tier contest.
"We have yet to receive details of the competition, but there should be two teams from the East Asia region out of eight in total to qualify for the main draw," said Lo. "We have our eyes on some new players when the transfer window opens next month, but now the plan may change by bringing in even higher quality players because of Champions League soccer."
Lo said that as far as he knew, there would be two home games in the qualifying play-offs at the Hong Kong Stadium, and he expected strong gate receipts to help them secure top talent.
"I will discuss with the coaching staff on the new players as soon as possible and, of course, our target will be prolific strikers to add firepower," said Lo.
Both South China and Kitchee obtained ACL club licences on Monday, but since only one slot was available for Hong Kong in the play-offs, the Caroliners were preferred as they are defending champions.
