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Friday, May 18, 2018, 17:39
Tai Po district team qualifies for AFC Cup
By Tobias Zuser
Friday, May 18, 2018, 17:39 By Tobias Zuser

Kitchee win their second consecutive Hong Kong Premier League title. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HKFA)

The 2017/18 Hong Kong Premier League season came to an end on Sunday, May 13th, with five simultaneous games to determine the final table standings. While Kitchee’s championship title has already been confirmed for several weeks, the race for the runners-up position was only to be decided on the very last day. This meant that the Tai Po district team hosted Pegasus in a direct showdown for second place. The Greens had to win this game to stay above their rivals, whereas the Flying Horsemen could be satisfied with a draw. 

Just eleven minutes into the game, the guests took the lead, after captain Chan Siu-ki hit the back of the net from inside the box, after being nicely set up by playmaker Joao Emir. At first, Tai Po seemed to collapse under the pressure and the rest of the first half turned into a chaotic game, in which the hosts were without any plan to penetrate the Pegasus defense. The very hot weather that afternoon also had a detrimental effect on the tempo of the game. 

Kitchee midfielder Krisztian Vadocz was named Footballer of the Year. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HKFA)

However, football is a game of two halves, and Tai Po proved why they were one of the best teams in the season. In the 69th minute, centre back Eduardo Praes, who had taken over the role as a centre forward by then, scored the deserved equalizer. That was still not enough for the hosts, and so coach Lee Chi-kin continued to push his team forward, bringing in strikers Dhiego Martins and Yuen Chun-sing; and one minute before the end of regular time, his tactics paid off. A brilliant cross from midfielder Wong Wai found Sean Tse in the box, who headed home the match-winning goal. The crowd of 1422 spectators, who made their way to Tai Po Sports Ground today, erupted on the stands, and soon after the club celebrated the best league finish of a district team since 1963, when Yuen Long won the title. 

The second place also means that Tai Po will be eligible for the AFC Cup next year, Asia’s second-tier continental competition. However, if Kitchee fail to qualify for the Asian Champions League, they will take up Hong Kong’s direct group stage spot in the same cup, and then Tai Po will have to play qualifying rounds against teams from DPR Korea, Mongolia, Macau, or Chinese Taipei. Nonetheless, it will be the second time for Tai Po to join the AFC Cup after 2010, when they were rewarded for their Senior Shield win. 

The remaining games of the last match day were without major surprises. Kitchee beat Yuen Long 2-0 at Mong Kok Stadium, thanks to late goals by Paulinho and Fernando. Lee Man succumbed to a 1-4 defeat against R&F, while Rangers and Dreams shared points in a 1-1 draw. At least Southern ended their season on a high point by celebrating a 3-2 win over Eastern, but it was not enough for them to leapfrog their rivals in the table, as they finish fifth and fourth respectively. 

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong FA has also announced this year’s awards, with Kitchee midfielder Krisztian Vadocz bagging the trophies for Footballer of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year, and Most Favourite Player. The two awards for Young Player of the Season went to Lam Hin-ting and Cheng Chin-lung, while Kitchee coach Alex Chu was named Best Coach of the Year. Brazilian striker Lucas Silva finished as league top-scorer with 15 goals to his name.

However, the season is not over just yet, as there are still two more cup finals over the coming weekends. On Saturday, May 19th, Kitchee and Tai Po will compete for the Sapling Cup trophy at the Hong Kong Stadium in Causeway Bay. 

Tai Po beat Pegasus on the last match day to secure second place in the league. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HKFA)

TAI PO v KITCHEE, Sapling Cup Final, Hong Kong Stadium, 19 May, 3:00 pm

The best two clubs of the season will lock horns once again and although Kitchee will be the undisputed favourites, the Sapling Cup is arguably the best chance for Tai Po this year to challenge for silverware. All teams in this competition have to field at least two domestic U22 players at all times during the match. With Tan Chun-lok, the Greens can rely on one of the best talents in the league, who is already a regular starter. Kitchee on the other hand will not be allowed to bring in Cheng Chin-lung, as he already represented Dreams in the same competition when he was on loan earlier this season. Tai Po are also the defending Sapling Cup champions, and players such as Tan Chun-lok, Wong Wai, and Lee Ka-yiu have won the trophy twice. However, Kitchee will have enough motivation to bag in the trophy as well. Due to their surprising elimination from the Senior Shield, it will be the last chance for the Bluewaves to reach the season goal of winning the treble. One player who will not be part of this endeavor is Diego Forlan, who had his farewell match on May 13th. 

After the Sapling Cup final both teams will meet once again on May 26th for the last match of the season: the FA Cup final, which will also take place at Hong Kong Stadium. Usually the winner would be rewarded with the second spot in the AFC Cup, but as champions and league runners-up both teams have already secured their qualification via the league. 


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