Kitchee draw Kuching City 1:1 in AFC Champions League 2, with the Hong Kong side coming from behind after an early goalkeeping error to secure a draw in Kuching.
Kitchee draw Kuching City, stay second in Group H
The match took place at Sarawak Stadium in Kuching, Malaysia. Kitchee recovered from an own goal inside two minutes to salvage a 1:1 result against Kuching City in Group H.
Early in the match a back pass from defender 比堤 (Bi Ti) reached goalkeeper Pang Cheuk-hei (龐焯熙), who miscontrolled the ball and it rolled into the far corner, giving Kuching City a shock lead. Kitchee responded without losing composure.
Everton levels after Kamara setup
In the 14th minute Kitchee organized an attack in the final third. Midfielder Kamara (卡馬拉沙) threaded a pass to rightwing forward Everton (艾華頓), who cut into the penalty area and struck a left-footed shot into the net to make the score 1:1.
Both teams traded chances for the rest of the first half. Kuching City had more attempts but could not find a second goal, and the teams went into the break tied.
Second half and closing stages
After the interval both coaches made attacking substitutions in search of a winner. Kitchee pushed numbers forward and created several opportunities inside the penalty area, but none were converted. The score remained 1:1 through the final whistle, leaving Kitchee with two draws and two points from their opening two Group H matches.
Kitchee draw Kuching City again in their second group game, keeping them in second place in Group H ahead of a return match at Mong Kok Stadium in Hong Kong on Dec. 3. Mong Kok Stadium is a municipal venue in Kowloon that often hosts Hong Kong Premier League fixtures.
Tai Po lose at Mong Kok, coach praises effort
Elsewhere at Mong Kok Stadium, Tai Po lost 0:1 at home to Singapore side Lion City Sailors in Group F. The first half was scoreless, but in the 48th minute a close-range finish by Fiton (菲頓) gave the visitors the lead they needed.
Tai Po have now lost their opening two group matches and sit bottom of Group F. Coach Lee Chi-kin (李志堅) said after the game that the two teams had a big difference in market value, but he was pleased that his players fought until the end.
Tai Po will remain at Mong Kok Stadium on Oct. 29, when they host Thai side BG Pathum United in another group match as they chase their first points in the competition.
Kitchee draw Kuching City and Tai Po’s home defeat underline a mixed start for Hong Kong clubs in AFC Champions League 2 group play.