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Jonathan White

Kitchee shocked Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol and came good on owner Ken Ng Kin’s promise to better Eastern’s single point in the 2017 AFC Champions League thanks to a last-minute stunner from local 20-year-old Cheng Chin-lung.
The winger was brought back from a loan spell at fellow Hong Kong Premier League side Dreams FC and repaid coach Chu Chi-kwong’s faith in him with the goal that secured Hong Kong’s first ever win in the tournament in front of a crowd of 7,771 at Hong Kong Stadium.


As you might expect this historic moment for Hong Kong has made a little bit of noise on social media.
Kitchee fans were quick to comment on the club’s official Facebook page and laud the unlikely hero.

A memorable night for football on Wednesday as #Kitchee became the first Hong Kong side to record a win in @TheAFCCL #ClubWC https://t.co/8Yd1frh9mQ
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) 15 March 2018

Even Fifa got in on the act.

He is the best football player in Hong Kong Kitchee pic.twitter.com/bYJdV5RwNh
— Oscar Wong (@OOscaryh20) 14 March 2018

Wallace Leung wrote that “Cheng Chin-lung came for the tournament too late” adding that if he had played earlier “Kitchee should come close to qualifying and defeating Jeonbuk Motors to lead the group.” A positive spin.

#Kitchee defeat #KashiwaReysol 1-0 #ACL2018 pic.twitter.com/YGKZloc4Kk
— Chris-KL-Lau (@Chris_KL_Lau) 14 March 2018

Andy Lau wants Kitchee’s players rewarded with call-ups for Hong Kong’s Asian Cup showdown with North Korea next week: “A strong request to add Cheng Chin-lung and Tong Kin-man into the squad for Hong Kong’s Asian Cup qualifier against North Korea.”


It was smiles all round as Kitchee scored their first ever win in the group stage of @TheAFCCL with a 92nd minute goal against Kashiwa Reysol. pic.twitter.com/z9Ju8cW4kf
— The Asian Game (@TheAsianGame) 14 March 2018

There was shock from Chris Koon: “Never expect the aggregate score against Kashiwa Reysol is 1-1.”

YEEEEEES! Youngster Cheng Chin-lung scores in injury time and seals the first ACL victory for Hong Kong. Kitchee 1-0 Kashiwa #ACL UNBELIEVABLE!
— Football in HK (@offsideHK) 14 March 2018

“Do you think Cheng’s goal has the chance of making it to the goal of the week in the AFC Champions League?” asked Kung Ka-wai.

Kitchee's win last night is not just about the #ACL, but a glimpse of hope for the future of #hkfootball https://t.co/z3HKclnWQZ
— Football in HK (@offsideHK) 15 March 2018

Benny Lam wondered whether the scorer would be making his way to the Chinese Super League in the future: “The Japanese players thought Cheng could not do anything and allowed him the easy chance to score. I believe there will be teams from Mainland China to sign Cheng next year.”
History made as Kitchee become first Hong Kong club to earn victory in the AFC Champions League

Kitchee fans in great voice after their shock 1-0 win over Kashiwa Reysol in @TheAFCCL pic.twitter.com/Z8UEH6anYy
— Michael Church (@michaelrgchurch) 14 March 2018

Meanwhile, Ho Ho Tse was more phlegmatic. “The Japanese underestimated us and we had luck on our side by saving two great chances from them.”
Fans divided on how Kitchee can deliver on owner’s promise of besting Eastern in debut Champions League

A Diego Forlan led Kitchee ()currently has more wins in the ACL than Sydney FC.
— Matt (@DTDmatt) 14 March 2018

The biggest question now is whether Kitchee are done with just the three points.

Omg...what a historical moment #KitChee #ACL2018
— Chan曉風 (@chansiufung76) 14 March 2018

Can they get a result against Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian at Mong Kok Stadium on April 4 or even shock the runaway group leaders Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in South Korea in the final group game?

They struggled early days, but what a fantastic win for Kitchee - their first ever win in the group stage of the ACL. https://t.co/KCAZi17sTV
— Paul Williams (@PaulWilliams_85) 14 March 2018

If the K-League champions rest their star players there is no reason why they can’t dream of the knockouts.


Ronaldo missing as Saudi club Al-Nassr wins in Asian Champions League 2 but ‘set to return’

Pressure builds on Saudi champs Al-Ittihad as hunt for Asian Champions League spots resumes

Japan eyes parity with English Premier League by aligning calendar with Europe

Singapore names Gavin Lee permanent head football coach after Hong Kong win

AFC Champions League

OMG! Hong Kong football fans react to Kitchee’s smash-and-grab win with mixture of shock and awe

Fans cheer Kitchee on before they play Jeonbuk in the Champions League. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Sport

Hong Kong

First ever Champions League goal scored by a Hong Kong-born player secures the city’s first win in Asia’s top tournament


Kitchee SC

OMG! Hong Kong football fans react to Kitchee’s smash-and-grab win with mixture of shock and awe

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}First ever Champions League goal scored by a Hong Kong-born player secures the city’s first win in Asia’s top tournament

First ever Champions League goal scored by a Hong Kong-born player secures the city’s first win in Asia’s top tournament