Kitchee to be crowned Hong Kong Premier League champions in finale
Although top tier title has been decided, the race for two promotion spots is on in the first division
Today's match against YFCMD will be a title party for Kitchee, who sewed up the inaugural Premier League prize last weekend, but in the first division, the race is on for two promotion spots.
A trophy presentation will be held after the match at Sham Shui Po Sports Ground as Kitchee celebrate their fourth championship in the last five seasons. They lead Eastern by three points, but can't be caught as they have a better head-to-head record.
Ahead of the FA Cup final next week against Eastern, the treble-chasing side received a boost as striker Juan Belencoso signed a new two-year deal. The Spaniard has 12 league goals and 13 in cup competitions this season.
Metro Gallery Sun Source look certain to win the first division, leading by eight points with three games left, and seeking to join them in the top flight are Southern and Yau Tsim Mong. Though Hong Kong Football Club are second, they are likely to turn down the chance of promotion to remain amateur.
Southern declined to join the inaugural Premier League last season citing financial difficulties. They are third in the table, two points behind Football Club, with Yau Tsim Mong a point further back on 55.
Kitchee boss Ken Ng Kin says assistant Ricky Cheng Siu-chung will head to Southern next season if they win promotion.
"Cheng has played an important role in our success over the last couple of seasons, but this would also be a good opportunity for him to manage," said Ng.
All of today's games were scheduled to kick off at the same time in anticipation of showdowns at top and bottom, but relegation has already been decided - Wofoo Tai Po are down.
