Kitchee need a result against Chiangrai United to keep AFC Champions League hopes alive

With three points from two games, Hong Kong champions cannot afford to lose ground before Sunday’s final group fixture against leaders Vissel Kobe

They beat Chiangrai in their opening game but coach Chu Chi-kwong asks players to forget that result

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Prolific striker Dejan Damjanovic and his Kitchee teammates will aim to repeat their victory in the group opener. Photo: Kitchee

Published: 7:30pm, 27 Apr 2022Updated: 8:41pm, 27 Apr 2022

Kitchee have to put aside this month’s victory over Chiangrai United as they take on the Thai side again on Thursday in an AFC Champions League group match they cannot afford to lose.

With only four group J fixtures per team following the pull-out of Shanghai Port, the Hong Kong champions need a repeat in Buriram of their 1-0 defeat of Chiangrai at the same venue in the opening game.

Having since lost 2-1 to Vissel Kobe of Japan, they lie second in the group table, with Vissel sitting top following two wins and a draw. After beating Kitchee, Vissel thrashed Chiangrai 6-0 but were surprisingly held to a goalless draw by the Thai club in their last outing.

Despite missing star player Andrés Iniesta, who did not travel for the matches in Thailand because of injury, Vissel are the favourites to reach the next round automatically, with the rest left to fight over the best runners-up spots. They take on Kitchee in the final group match on Sunday.

Kitchee head coach Chu Chi-kwong said his players were well recovered and ready to go. Photo: Kitchee

Kitchee head coach Chu Chi-kwong paid tribute to Chiangrai’s resilience after they recovered from their devastating first result against Vissel to earn a draw in the second meeting, and said it put his players on notice.

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