Victory over Chiangrai crucial for Kitchee

Hong Kong side cannot afford to slip up before final group fixture against Vissel Kobe

Kitchee have to put aside their earlier victory over Chiangrai United as they take on the Thai side again tonight 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 their opening game in Thailand.

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 Andres 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 Chikwong 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.

“We have to forget the first match even though we won it,” Chu said. “Chiangrai are a good team with some quick players up front who can always pose threats.

“They showed a lot of improvement in their last game when holding Vissel Kobe. But we are also well prepared following sufficient rest, after more than a week since our last match. We have had a good recovery and the players are ready to fight again now that they have adapted better to the conditions in Thailand.”

Chu refused to consider the qualification picture at this stage. “We only take one match at a time, and after this game we will think about the match against Vissel Kobe, which will possibly decide the group,” he said.

The winners of the five groups in the East region will move to the knockout stage, along with the three runners-up with the best records. Kitchee are last among the five second-placed teams, so need to add to their three points.

Young sensation Shinichi Chan said Kitchee should try to avoid putting extra pressure on themselves, with progress in the competition in the balance. “We need to perform normally, get away from any pressure and hopefully get the result we want,” the 19-year-old Hong Kong international said.

We are well prepared. We have had a good recovery and the players are ready to fight again

CHU CHI-KWONG, KITCHEE HEAD COACH