Kitchee seeks to go “third-time lucky” in Hong Kon

Kitchee will temporarily put aside its premier league aspirations for the coming weekend, as the Blues focuses on going “third time lucky” in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Cup, this time against nemesis Eastern Long Lions. The showdown match will take place in Mongkok Stadium on Friday afternoon at 5:30pm. Kitchee, having enjoyed a 100% winning start to the premier league season, has come up short in the two previous editions of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Cup, succumbing to South China on both occasions. Eager to go “third-time lucky” and to finally lay claim on the coveted trophy, the Blues will be ready to throw everything at Eastern Long Lions, who is standing in the way between Kitchee and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Cup. The always reliable midfield enforcer Huang Yang indicates Friday’s Community Cup battle will be a great opportunity for Kitchee to gauge its early season form. “I fully expect a highly competitive battle between Kitchee and Eastern Long Lions, as the two sets of players will be eager to put one over the other and take home the first trophy of the season,” Huang stated. “There is also a psychological edge that comes from winning the match, as it will give the winner added confidence in the premier league title chase. Eastern Long Lions are entering the new season with largely the same side as last season. We know their playing style well and I have confidence that we can snatch a win on Friday afternoon.” Midfielder Lam Zhi Gin is excited about the prospects of competing for his first silverware in Hong Kong football and relishes the opportunity to go head-to-head against one of Kitchee’s major rivals in the premier league. “It is a one-off final and of course I am very excited about the occasion. We will definitely come out strong and try to overcome Eastern Long Lions on match day,” said Lam. “I understand the opponent is one of the main rivals for Kitchee this season. However, we are Kitchee and we always battle hard no matter who we come up against. We want to win trophies and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Cup will be no different.”