In an AFC Champions League Group F encounter, Kitchee succumbed to a 1-2 defeat against the Lion City Sailors from Singapore at Hong Kong Stadium, resulting in a loss of three crucial points. In the early stages of the match, both teams battled it out on an equal footing. On the 6th minute, Diego Hipolito Da Silva Lopez cut inside from the right and unleashed a left-footed shot from a prime position, only to be blocked by defender. On the other hand, Kitchee had an chance when Mingazov and Mikael combined outside the penalty area, but the latter’s right-footed attempt was thwarted by the goalkeeper.
On the 14th minute, the Lion City Sailors broke the deadlock as Van Huizen delivered a pinpoint cross from the left flank. However, Goncalves Helio's defensive clearance error proved costly as Zivkovic capitalized on the opportunity and slotted the ball into the net with his left foot, giving the Lion City Sailors a 1：0 lead.
Kitchee tried to mount a comeback after that. On the 25th minute, Roberto Orlando connected with Cleiton’s corner delivery and headed the ball to Mingazov,but the latter’s close-range header narrowly missed the target.Later on, Onazi unleashed a left-footed strike from outside the penalty area, only to be blocked by defender.
On the 38th minute, the Lion City Sailors extended their lead as Onazi committed a foul in the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick for the visitors. Lestienne confidently stepped up and blasted the ball into the net with his left foot, making it 2-0 for the Lion City Sailors. Just two minutes later, the Lion City Sailors had another scoring chance when Van Huizen set off an amazing run and passed to Lestienne who knocked the ball into the box,but Diego Hipolito Da Silva Lopes struck the post with his right-footed shot. Kitchee had a chance to pull one back before halftime as Cleiton received a pass from Law Tsz Chun and fired a right-footed shot that narrowly missed the target. The Lion City Sailors went into halftime with a two-goal lead.
Kitchee came out strong in the second half but unfortunately, both attempts from Mingazov were easily caught by the goalkeeper. On the 53rd minute,Fernando made an attempt from distance, but his right-footed strike sailed over the crossbar. Kitchee came again on the 67th minute,Jantscher Jakob, who came off the bench, delivered a pass to Walter Junior at the edge of the box, but his shot lacked power and was easily gathered by the goalkeeper.
Lion City Sailors almost scored again on the 72th minute,as Lestienne skillfully maneuvered past Russell on the right flank before unleashing a left-footed shot from the edge of the box, narrowly missing the target. Kitchee, facing an uphill battle, finally managed to claw one back on the 88th minute. Law Tsz Chun delivered a pinpoint cross from the right, and Jantscher Jakob rose high to head the ball into the far post, bringing the scoreline to 1：2 and reducing the deficit. During injury time, Kitchee continued to besiege their opponents' goal.Cleiton fired a right-footed shot outside the box,but was blocked by the defender. Shortly after,Jantscher Jakob received a pass from Tan Chun Lok outside the penalty area and unleashed a right-footed shot, which was once again blocked by the defender.
Just before the final whistle, Chan Chun Lok attempted a rpowerful shot from the edge of the box, but Manuel Herrera Lopez made a fantastic block. The ball rebounded towards the goal, and Mingazov pounced on it,only to see his effort narrowly missed the target.Finally, Kitchee couldn't overturn the deficit and had to swallow a bitter 1：2 defeat.