Shanghai Covid-19 crisis adds pressure for Hong Kong’s Kitchee in Champions League opener

Hong Kong champions preparing to meet Chiangrai in Thailand on Saturday, with Vissel Kobe of Japan to follow in group J
Little margin for error in the group after Shanghai Port withdrew, with their city under lockdown as it battles a coronavirus outbreak

AFC Champions League

Chan Kin-wa

Published: 6:30pm, 14 Apr 2022

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Kitchee head coach Chu Chi-kwong said his side’s task may have been made tougher by the withdrawal of Shanghai Port as they prepare to start their AFC Champions League campaign in Thailand on Saturday.

The Hong Kong champions will take on Thai League 1 side Chiangrai United in their opening group match in Buriram, before meeting Andre Iniesta’s Vissel Kobe of Japan three days later.

Port, who this week pulled out of the tournament because of the Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown in Shanghai, finished second in the Chinese Super League last season, but were believed not to be prioritising the Champions League.

“Shanghai Port were supposed to be the weakest side of the group, because it was reported that they would be sending a youth team for the tournament,” Chu said.

Dani Cancela talks to head coach Chu Chi-kwong during Kitchee’s preparations in Thailand. The left back later suffered a leg injury that ruled him out of the tournament. Photo: Kitchee

“If we could take all six points against them, it could help us finish as at least one of the best group runners-up. But it is not going to happen, and this may affect the players on the psychological side.

“With only three teams in the group, every match will now be crucial to decide who will go into the round of 16.”

There are 10 groups in the continent’s top-tier club competition this year, five in the West region and five in the East, with group winners advancing to the next round along with the three best runners-up from each region.

The West region has already completed its group stage, with the East region kicking off this week. And because of Shanghai Port’s pull-out in group J, results against the bottom team in each of the four other groups will be excluded in determining the three best runners-up.

With one fewer team to play, coach Chu said an upside was the extra recovery time for his players in potentially punishing heat.

“The weather in Thailand is very demanding and we were supposed to play six matches in two weeks,” he said. “Now we only play four matches and physically it will help the players deliver their best.”

Kitchee suffered a blow ahead of Saturday’s opener against Chiangrai, with veteran defender Dani Cancela leaving the squad because of a muscle injury. Former Manchester United youth player Charlie Scott, meanwhile, missed their last friendly against Thai Port on Monday, also because of injury.

Midfielder Sean Tse said he was excited to make his Champions League debut for Kitchee. Photo: Kitchee

Defensive midfielder Sean Tse Ka-keung, however, is looking forward to his maiden Champions League appearance.

“Everybody is excited and I am excited because this is going to be my first AFC Champions League appearance,” said the former Manchester City academy player.

Kitchee, who were eliminated in the group stage last year, have been training in Thailand since early March, with no sports facilities available in Hong Kong after the city’s government shut down venues in January as a Covid-19 containment measure.

They have played six friendlies during that period, earning three wins and two draws before losing their last outing 1-0 against Thai Port on Monday.

Chiangrai are fourth in the Thai League 1 table, with striker Rosimar Amancio having netted 13 goals so far this season.

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