Kitchee return to AFC Champions League looking for improvement after three-year absence
- The 10-time Hong Kong champions will take on China’s Shandong Taishan, Port FC of Thailand and the play-off winners from group J
- Kitchee won only one match while losing five when they made their tournament debut in 2018
Kitchee are looking for improvement in the AFC Champions League as they make a return to Asia’s top-tier club competition after finishing bottom in the group stages in their last appearance three years ago.
The 10-time Hong Kong champions will take on regional heavyweights Shandong Taishan of China, Thailand’s Port FC in group J, along with the play-off winners that will consist of either Shan United of Myanmar, Cerezo Osaka and Melbourne City, after the draw was conducted in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
“We have avoided drawing against the 2020 ACL winning side [Ulsan Hyundai] from South Korea and that can be down to luck,” said Kitchee coach Chu Chi-kwong. “Of course, we are looking for improvement from our last appearance. With half of the team having appeared in our maiden 2018 Champions League campaign, the players should treasure the opportunity of returning to top-flight club competition.
“The Champions League features the best clubs in the region. Shandong have changed some of their foreign players from last season but teams from the mainland are always a danger, while the Thai side are fast improving. Unlike last time when we played on a home-and-away basis, we won’t have any home ground advantage in the 2021 tournament, which will make life more difficult for us.”
Kitchee won only one game in the 2018 campaign – against visitors Kashiwa Reysol of Japan – after Cheng Chin-lung’s brilliant strike in a 1-0 win. Kitchee lost all five other matches before finishing bottom of their group.