Rampant Kitchee’s Treble Dream Alive After AFC Cup Win

The treble dream is still very much alive for Kitchee after a straight forward and comfortable 2-0 win over Arema Indonesia at Mong Kok Stadium.

As Hong Kong’s sole survivors in the AFC cup, the weight of expectation was firmly on their shoulders as they took the field in this round of 16 game. Backed by a fervent home crowd, they did not disappoint and again stuck to their neat passing game and simply over-whelmed Arema who were second best for a majority of the match.

A large contingent of Indonesian expatriates made for a vociferous away support for Arema and the stadium shook with their relentless singing and chants; the Kitchee supporters were not to be outdone and provided an unending soundtrack of songs throughout the night as well.

Kitchee set the pace and took an early lead in the 5th minute when Jang Kyungjin leapt the highest to head home a corner. Kitchee were comfortably ahead and never looked back and the game was all but wrapped up when Lam Ka Wai lashed home a powerful left sided drive in the 9th minute; Lam has been inspirational for Kitchee all season and this wonderful goal was a testament to his hard work. Arema first proper chance on goal and one of their best opportunities to pull themselves back into the game was in the 25th minute when Alberto Goncalves was denied by the Kitchee keeper.

Towards the end of the first half, Chan Man Fai smashed a long distance drive which was well saved. In the second half, the majority of the chances fell to Kitchee with Tarres and Chan Man Fai having several opportunities to kill the game and place the game out of  reach of the Indonesians but failed to convert. Kitchee held on and now advance to the quarter final stages which will be played over two legs. Down but not out, the Arema fans simply sang and chanted until the end and should be credited with bringing such a great atmosphere to Mong Kok stadium.

The treble is within touching distance and this Sunday, Kitchee face Eastern in the Hong Kong FA Cup final.

All pictures courtesy of Chris KL Lau.

Christopher KL Lau is the Hong Kong Correspondent for Wildeast Football. He has figured out twitter and can be found here: https://twitter.com/Chris_KL_Lau