Kitchee met up with HKFC in Mong Kok Stadium on Saturday afternoon for the 2023-24 FA Cup quarter-finals. Kitchee beat HKFC by 2:0 and advanced to the semi-finals.
Kitchee met up with HKFC in Mong Kok Stadium on Saturday afternoon for the 2023-24 FA Cup quarter-finals. Kitchee beat HKFC by 2:0 and advanced to the semi-finals.
Kitchee took the bull by the horns early in the match, with Cheng Chin Lung capitalizing on a corner kick from Poon Pui Hin in the 5th minute. He masterfully directed the ball to Roberto Orlando, who powered a header into the net, putting Kitchee on the scoreboard with a 1:0 lead.
At the 31-minute mark, Kitchee sustained their aggressive offensive strategy, demonstrated by a dynamic long-range right-footed strike from Charlie Scott that was saved by the goalkeeper.
Hong Kong Football Club sprang into action with a counterattack. Gustao Henrique initiated a swift move down the left flank, connected with Lau Hok Ming, who laterally moved the ball to Leonardo Peres. However, Leonardo Peres's left-footed attempt from the penalty area soared high above the crossbar.
In the 41st minute, Hong Kong Football Club strived to claw back into the game, with Khan Jahangir attempting a left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area after receiving a pass from the right wing, only to see his shot sail over the crossbar. The teams retreated for halftime with Kitchee leading 1:0.
In the second half, Kitchee maintained their dominance on the pitch. At the 53rd minute, Cheng Chin Lung executed a corner kick from the right, which was met with a decisive header from Mingazov Ruslan that only hit the side-netting.
In the 57th minute, Kitchee was on the brink of scoring another goal, with a free kick from Cleiton Velasques just outside the penalty area being thwarted by the goalkeeper's flying save.
Kitchee continued to press their advantage, with Mingazov Ruslan delivering a strategic pass from the left. However, Tan Chun Lok's shot was parried by the goalkeeper.
The 82nd minute witnessed Kitchee seal their victory with a tactical play. The ball was passed from Poon Pui Hin on the right to Mingazov Ruslan in the penalty area, who swiftly redirected it to Sherzod Temirov. Sherzod Temirov composedly controlled the ball with his chest and then unleashed a thunderous right-footed shot into the net, doubling Kitchee's advantage to 2:0.
Just before the final whistle, Kitchee almost added another to their tally. Cleiton Velasques swung in a corner kick from the right, but Roberto Orlando's header was impressively saved by the goalkeeper, with the ball ricocheting off the post.
The match concluded with Kitchee holding onto their 2:0 lead, thereby eliminating the Hong Kong Football Club and advancing to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.