Kitchee defeated RCFC by 5:0 in JC Sapling Cup (Group B) at Kowloon Bay Park today.
Right from the start, Kitchee displayed their intent with a flurry of attacks. In the 7th minute, Mikael Burkatt unleashed a shot from inside the penalty area, narrowly missing the target.
RCFC had their moment of attacking prowess in the 22nd minute when Yuen Sai Kit delivered a cross from the left, finding the far post. However, Au Yeung Ho Ming failed to connect with the ball by a whisker.
Maintaining their dominance, Kitchee broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute. Andrew Russell rose highest in the crowded penalty area, expertly heading the ball into the net from Fernando Augusto's well-placed corner kick, propelling Kitchee to a 1:0 lead.
Kitchee continued their onslaught and capitalized on a scoring opportunity in the 35th minute. From a corner kick on the right side, Fernando Augusto's delivery found an unmarked Jantscher Jakob, who headed the ball into the far post, extending Kitchee's lead to 2:0.
Jantscher Jakob showcased his attacking prowess throughout the game and made his mark again in the 43rd minute. Receiving a sublime long pass from Cleiton Velasques, Jantscher Jakob confidently dribbled into the penalty area and calmly slotted the ball into the far post, increasing Kitchee's lead to a commanding 3:0.
Just before halftime, Jantscher Jakob had another chance to find the back of the net. Mathew Luke's shot was blocked by a defender, but Jantscher Jakob reacted swiftly, hitting the crossbar. Mikael Burkatt's subsequent effort was brilliantly saved by the diving goalkeeper. Kitchee went into halftime with a comfortable 3:0 advantage.
In the second half, Kitchee continued to assert their dominance, controlling the proceedings. In the 55th minute, Jantscher Jakob took a shot from the edge of the penalty area, but lacked the necessary power, allowing the goalkeeper to make a routine save.
After weathering Kitchee's relentless attacks, RCFC managed to create a threatening chance in the 66th minute. Moon Chi Sung skillfully evaded a defender from the left flank, delivering a tantalizing cross. However, Lam Lok Yin Jerry's subsequent shot narrowly missed the target.
Kitchee persistently posed a threat from corner kicks throughout the match. In the 70th minute, Kim Shinwook met Fernando Augusto's corner kick with a powerful header, only to be denied by an excellent save from the goalkeeper.
In the 88th minute, Kitchee showcased their fluid teamwork, resulting in another goal. Mikael Burkatt delivered a precise pass inside the penalty area to Sherzod Temirov, who executed a magnificent diving shot, emphatically finding the back of the net, making it 4:0 in Kitchee's favor.
In the dying moments of stoppage time, Kitchee's relentless corner kick assault bore fruit once again. Mikael Burkatt connected with a well-timed header from his teammate's flick-on, effortlessly guiding the ball into the far post. Finally, Kitchee emerged with a commanding 5:0 victory over RCFC, securing three vital points.