Lee Man met Kitchee at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground on Saturday afternoon for the JC Saping Cup Group B fixture of the day. Kitchee got a 4:1 over Lee Man.
Kitchee started the game aggressively after the opening whistle. Within just 5 minutes, Fernando Augusto's precise cross from the left flank found Igor Satori, who unleashed a powerful header that was collected by the goalkeeper. Lee Man tried to respond in the 10th minute, but Simionato Paulo Sergio's long-range strike from outside the box failed to trouble the opposing goalkeeper.
Two minutes later, Kitchee capitalized on their slight advantage and broke the deadlock. Igor Sartori's well-placed cross from the right wing reached an unmarked Junior Walter, who coolly slotted the ball into the net, giving Kitchee a 1:0 lead.
Kitchee had a prime opportunity to extend their lead later as Yuen Chun Him unleashed a powerful strike which deflected off a defender, forcing the goalkeeper to deny it by a sensational diving save
In the 28th minute, Lee Man had a golden chance to equalize. Givanilton delivered a pinpoint cross from the left, finding Simionato Paulo Sergio in close proximity to the goal. However, his shot struck the woodwork, and Givanilton's subsequent attempt from a tight angle went wide.
Despite Lee Man's threats, Kitchee also had their fair share of attacking moves. A clever pass from Cheng Chin Lung found Matthew Luke on the left flank, who then delivered a dangerous cross towards Junior Walter lurking near the post, but his effort narrowly missed the target. Fernando Augusto's long-range free-kick from 30 yards out was also denied by an impressive one-handed save from the Lee Man goalkeeper. Kitchee FC held a 1:0 advantage at halftime.
Lee Man demonstrated their determination at the start of the second half and managed to level the score in the 47th minute. Paulissen skillfully shook off his marker and played a piercing through ball into the penalty area, where Givanilton's well-placed shot curled into the far corner, making it 1:1. However, Kitchee wasted no time in regaining their lead, as Cleiton embarked on a powerful run through the center and calmly slotted the ball into the corner of the net, restoring Kitchee's advantage at 2:1.
Lee Man's defensive vulnerabilities were exposed further in the 60th minute, when Andrew Russell rose highest to meet Fernando Augusto's precise cross from the left, nodding the ball into the net to extend Kitchee's lead to 3:1. Dominating the match, Kitchee added another goal in the 79th minute. Substitute Jantscher Jakob picked a long pass from a teammate in the and made a clinical finish with a right-footed shot that struck the far post and found the back of the net. Finally, Kitchee cruised to a comprehensive 4:1 victory over Lee Man, securing all three points.