傑志2：1勝東方龍獅 首奪社區盃冠軍

Driven to land the Club’s first ever Jockey Club Community Cup trophy, Kitchee finally accomplished the mission on Saturday afternoon by defeating nemesis Eastern Long Lions 2:1 through goals from Alexander Akande and Christian Annan, snapping the Blues’ three-game losing streak in the competition. Kitchee also managed to generate XXXXXX for Christian United Hospital through the historical victory, making the feat all the more meaningful. Kitchee and Eastern Long Lions were meeting up for the second time of the season and the game went back-and-forth in the first half. On the 32nd minute, Alessandro Leonardo picked up a sweet pass from Alexander Akande and broke into the box, before launching a delicate chip that looked set for goal, only to be cleared away by opposing defender Lee Chi-ho on the goal-line. In the ensuing corner-kick, Alexander Akande connected with a Christian Annan delivery and nodded the ball home, giving Kitchee the lead. Late in the first half, La Ka-wai’s majestic free-kick was first saved by Eastern Long Lions keeper Yapp Hung-fai and then hit the goal-post. Kitchee took a one-goal lead back to the dressing room at half time. The Blues upped the pressure in the second half but it was Eastern Long Lions that found the back of the net and drew level, courtesy to a sublime strike by Lo Kong-wai. On the 63rd minute, Daniel Cancela’s cross found Christian Annan at the back-post and the latter dully redirected the ball home with ease, putting Kitchee in front and eventually sealing the Jockey Club Community Cup victory for the Blues for the first time ever. Skipper Lo Kwan-yee admitted after the game that snatching the Club’s first ever Jockey Club Community Cup was not easy. “We were facing Eastern Long Lions for the second time in the season and this was a much closer game than the season opener. We finished second in this competition for three years in a row and to finally snap that streak and to emerge as the champion, it is such a sweet feeling,” Lo expressed after the game. Veteran Christian Annan, who netted the cup-winning goal for Kitchee, could not contain his relief and joy after the game. “I came back to the Kitchee family from my loan spell this season and I have been giving my 110% throughout training. To score the game-winning goal that helped us to bag the Jockey Club Community Cup, it certainly carries so much joy and importance to me. After all, it has been a while since I last got on the score sheet,” said the evergreen speedster. “I will keep working hard for Kitchee and hopefully, force my way back into the Hong Kong team once again.”