Kitchee's qualities on the line against Shanghai
Hong Kong champions will be able to gauge how good they are for February's Asian Champions League qualifiers
Kitchee will test their quality for the forthcoming Asian Champions League qualifiers when they meet Shanghai East Asia in the first leg of the annual Hong Kong-Shanghai Interclub Cup on Wednesday.
The champions will represent Hong Kong in Asia's top tier club competition in February and playing a leading side from the mainland will be invaluable for their preparations.
Obviously, Shanghai are a tough opponent as you can tell by their results in the China league but it doesn't mean we should just focus on defence
Kitchee have a great chance of meeting Guangzhou R&F in an away match in the qualifying play-off second round when the draw will be made this month. There will be three rounds of the qualifiers and Kitchee must win all before they can reach the main draw.
Guangzhou R&F finished third in the China Super League, while Shanghai East Asia also had a remarkable season finishing fifth. Three of their China internationals are not available due to a national team training camp.
Kitchee coach Jose Molina said his side would not abandon their attacking style and just defend against their stronger opponents.
"Obviously, Shanghai are a tough opponent as you can tell by their results in the China league but it doesn't mean we should just focus on defence," the Spaniard said.
