2012-05-09

AFC Cup 2012 Group F
Kitchee 2:2 Terengganu (MAS)

Hong Kong league side Kitchee (HKG) completed their AFC Cup 2012 Group F matches by tying Malaysia side Terengganu (MAS) 2-2 on a steamy early summer evening. The reigning league champion did Hong Kong football proud by finishing top of their group and advancing to the next round of the AFC Cup.

Kitchee had the first chance of the game on the 7th minute when Lo Kwan-yee’s cross sailed over several Terengganu defenders and dropped onto the feet of teammate Liang Zi-cheng. Liang shook off his marker and managed to fire a shot that just glided past the visitors’ goal post.

However, the local powerhouse was not to be denied and got on the score sheet shortly afterwards. On the 10th minute, the ever-dangerous Lo Kwan-yee once again played provider and delivered a cross into the Terengganu penalty area. Spanish import Jorge Tarres alertly met with the ball and headed it into the visitors’ goal, putting the home side in front.

Terengganu quickly got themselves back into the game on the 15th minute when Abdul Yahaya teamed up with Mohamad Samudin and put on crisp passing, allowing the latter to simply tap the ball into the Kitchee goal. The game is now tied at 1-1.

Kitchee came close again on the 21st minute when Hong Kong international Lo Kwan-yee released Jorge Tarres with the ball deep into the Terengganu penalty area. The striker managed to squeeze out a shot but unfortunately for the home supporters, it went just inches wide off the goal post.

Terengganu almost took the lead on the 40th minute when Ismail Ashari found himself on the receiving end of a corner kick and acrobatically fired a missile that went inches wide from the Kitchee goal. The home side dodged a bullet on that occasion.

The local side went in front again right on the 45th minute mark when talented youngster Chan Man-fai sprung Jorge Tarres loose with a tape-measured pass. The striker found himself behind the Malaysian defense and coolly lobbed the ball past the Terengganu goalkeeper. Both Kitchee players showed their class through this goal and the home side found themselves once again in the lead.

Terengganu was awarded a penalty on the 69th when a Kitchee defender was judged to have brought a visiting attacker in the penalty area. Abdul Yahaya stepped up and coolly converted the spot-kick. The game is now tied at 2-2.

Chu Siu-ki almost put Kitchee in front on the 80th minute when the local forward took control of a corner kick and let loose a rocket that was deflected away by a Terengganu defender.

The match ended in a 2-2 tie and Kitchee managed to advance to the next round of the AFC Cup 2012 by topping Group F.

While Song Lam Nghe An (VIE) defeated Tampines Rovers (SIN) by 3-0 in AFC Cup Group F at Vietnam.

Kitchee 2:2 Terengganu (MAS)