Kitchee crowned Hong Kong Premier League champions after thrashing Happy Valley 4-0 on dramatic final day
- Rivals Eastern needed to beat R&F in their final match to snatch the title but were frustrated in a goalless draw
- Kitchee complete a season disrupted by Covid-19 with 20 points, one point ahead of Eastern while R&F finish third
Kitchee boss Ken Ng Kin became an R&F fan on judgment day for the Hong Kong Premier League, as his side made the most of their rivals’ favour to claim a third title in four years and 10th overall.
Substitute Wellingsson de Souza scored a second-half hat-trick after Gavilan Manu’s 36th-minute opener as Kitchee thrashed Happy Valley 4-0 at Mong Kok Stadium on Sunday.
Ng and his players then waited for the result of Eastern Long Lions’ game against R&F, which kicked off at the same time at Hong Kong Stadium. Once news of the 0-0 full-time score reached the Kitchee team, they were able to start the celebrations, with Ng’s team finishing on 20 points, one ahead of Eastern with R&F in third place on 18.
It was a dramatic end to the season, which was delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic with only six teams deciding to complete the programme after four others pulled out.
“It was like riding a roller coaster in the closing stages because teams have in the past taken the lead during the closing stages. It was an exciting game for everybody,” said Ng, referring to the Eastern game. “Of course I became a fan of R&F in the final day, hoping they could stop Eastern and allow us to win the championship. In fact we had a team monitoring the progress of the other match until we knew we’ve become the winners.