Dejan Damjanovic double seals back-to-back HKPL crowns for Kitchee
- Montenegrin veteran scores 16th and 17th goals of debut season in Hong Kong to deny Eastern’s title bid
- Final day title decider sees 7,800 watch on at Hong Kong Stadium
He might have been signed for the AFC Champions League but Dejan Damjanovic ensured Kitchee were back-to-back Hong Kong Premier League champions with another brace in a 2-0 win over Eastern to seal the title.
His goal in first stoppage time set Kitchee on their way before a second with 20 minutes to go sealed the club’s fifth HKPL crown in seven years in front of 7,800 fans at Hong Kong Stadium.
The opener came with Eastern – who had to win – on the attack and the former FC Seoul striker loitering inside his own half gambling on a clearance that duly came.
Bursting into Eastern’s half he ran across chasing defender Leung Chun-pong, cut back on to his left foot and after adjusting his feet fired it through Leung’s legs to leave Yapp Hung-fai with no chance in the Eastern goal.
It was the Montenegrin’s 16th Hong Kong Premier League goal of the season, with the 17th coming not long after – it is little wonder that he has so quickly become a fan favourite.
That Damjanovic threw his shirt to the fans as he left the pitch for half-time shows that the feeling is mutual.