Kitchee out to put icing on season of success in clash with Eastern Salon
Opponents have plenty of motivation - including financial - however
Eastern Salon are the last remaining hurdle as high-flying Kitchee chase an unprecedented hat-trick of FA Cup final victories at Hong Kong Stadium on Sunday.
Having won the league championship and a place in the AFC Cup quarter-finals, Kitchee are now looking to hold on to the Cup they have won the last two seasons. No team have won the trophy three times in a row since its inauguration in 1974.
"The players are approaching the match with great confidence," said Kitchee acting head coach Chu Chi-kwong.
This is not a regular league encounter and we are not without a chance. Anything can happen in a one-off cup final
"The [2-0] victory over Arema of Indonesia in midweek has lifted morale and proves Kitchee are on par with other top teams in the region. They may have heavy legs after a tough workout against Arema, but they will hang in there.
"Of course, we have the pressure because we are favoured to win the final, but I am sure there is equal pressure on our opponents. Their management has promised a big bonus for a win."
Ambitious Eastern Salon, who had a budget of over HK$10 million this season, need the victory to save a mediocre, so-far trophyless campaign.
Following their 1-0 defeat by I-Sky Yuen Long in their last league match, Eastern also failed to reach the Play-Off Cup through the league rankings and the only way they can sneak into qualification for the 2015 AFC Cup is to win today. The management is believed to have promised a winning purse of HK$1 million.