傑志作客挫南華 聯賽最後一輪撼東方龍獅爭冠

With premier league title aspirations firmly on its mind, Kitchee travelled all the way to Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground on Saturday afternoon for a crunching battle against South China in the BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League. The Blues made light work of the host and came up victorious through a commanding 3:0 win, courtesy to goals from Jared Lum, Helio Goncalves and Alessandro Leonardo. Despite playing away from home, Kitchee demonstrated aggressiveness and launched attack after attack towards the South China-end right from the get-go. Lam Zhi Gin, Matthew Lam and Jared Lum all had chances to put the Blues in front but somehow came up empty-handed. However, Kitchee was not to be denied and opened the score on the 23rd minute, when Matthew Lam and Alessandro Leonardo teamed up for a slick one-two buildup outside the box. Lam then sprayed the ball into the South China box, allowing Jared Lum to drill a low-shot towards the far-corner and into the net. Kitchee was now up 1:0. The Blues were not done and added another goal moments later. This time, Jared Lum’s well-executed corner-kick was met by a sensational diving header by Helio Goncalves at the back-post. The ball soared into the net with authority, putting the visitors in front by two goals heading into the interval. Kitchee nearly added to its lead early in the second half. Unfortunately, Alessandro Leonardo’s close-range strike was magnificently saved by the South China keeper. Matthew Lam showed great awareness by going for the rebound but somehow saw his header cleared away by a South China defender. Later in the second half, Kitchee did manage to make it 3:0. This time, Lam Zhi Gin delivered a tape-measured centering pass into the South China box. Alessandro Leonardo easily jumped into the air and nodded the ball home, making it 3:0 and sealing Kitchee’s victory. Alessandro Leonardo, who netted yet another goal for Kitchee during the victory, acknowledged pressure had been mounting for the Blues in the title run-in. The lanky striker hopes he and his teammates can keep the good form going and come out on top against Eastern Long Lions in the premier league title showdown match. “It is great to score again but as always, the most important thing is to get all three points for Kitchee. It has been a huge demand on the players’ fitness and form over the past few months while chasing for the premier league title. Hopefully, we can all buckle down for the final premier league game of the season against Eastern Long Lions, beat our opponent and leapfrog them in the standing to snatch the premier league title,” claimed the Kitchee hot-shot. Midfielder Matthew Lam believes starting the game positively and executing the coaches’ game-plan are both instrumental to Kitchee’s victory over South China. “We kept playing our usual style during the game, mixing up short passes and combinations to penetrate the South China defense, while trying to get the ball to our strikers as much as possible. The final league game against Eastern Long Lions is certainly going to be very interesting. As a matter of fact, it might be the biggest game for a lot of our players in their respective careers. It is not often that you see two teams competing for the league title squaring off in the final round of the season and I am sure the match will be a very tight affair. Nevertheless, I can assure you that Kitchee will be ready for the fight,” declared the midfield dynamo.