Draw keeps Kitchee's unbeaten run intact in First Division
Caroliners score first goal with penalty kick but fail to hold off rivals, who replied quickly
Champions Kitchee maintained their unbeaten record in the RedMR First Division after holding South China to a 1-1 draw at Mong Kok Stadium last night.
Dhiego Martins opened the account for South China with a penalty kick after teammate Michael Cheng Lai-hin earned a spot kick in the 62nd minute, when he was brought down by Kitchee's Tsang Chi-hau. Martins' goal was also the first between the two sides in their third encounter this season.
But South China, who were aiming to spoil Kitchee's end-of- match party, failed to cling to their slender lead. Just 12 minutes later, Kitchee replied with their own penalty kick equaliser.
We still have a number of matches left, including the FA Cup and the AFC Cup, and it is hard to say if we can keep the record
South China's Kwok Kin-pong handballed Matthew Lam's cross inside the box and the referee awarded Kitchee the penalty, which Diego Cascon converted.
The last time an unbeaten side won the league title was South China in 1985-86.
Kitchee head coach Chu Chi-kwong, was cautious about holding the unbeaten record until the end of the season, however.
"We still have a number of matches left, including the FA Cup and the AFC Cup, and it is hard to say if we can keep the record," said Chu. "I hope the players can hang in there and not lose their grip, mentally and physically."