This season’s standout arrival, Yumemi Kanda, has a habit of making magic happen. His clinical form is key to the Club’s place at the top of the league.
With eight league goals, Kanda is clearly enjoying the pressure. “The team is at the top and I’ve been delivering results… I’m having a great time”, he says. “The coach’s standards are high, so I feel I’m constantly growing—but of course, further improvement is necessary”.
His journey in Hong Kong started in 2023 with BC Rangers, a move that completely shifted his path. Even after a stint in North Macedonia, his heart brought him back to the city, though he now faces his old club as a rival. “Rangers gave me confidence—they shaped who I am today”, Kanda admits. “I always look forward to playing against them and showing them my growth”.
This drive stems from his days as one of Japan’s elite youth talents. “I was almost moved to tears”, he recalls, hearing the national anthem at the AFC U-16 Championship. While he sees “incredible abilities” in Kitchee’s young players, he believes Japan’s edge lies in the setup: “Japan has well-structured development systems and many coaches who work with care and dedication”.
Even Kanda's shirt number has a story. He previously wore No. 44 as a tribute to his mentor and idol, the legendary Shinji Ono. When that wasn't an option at Kitchee, he decided to leave his choice to fate. “I went to a fortune teller”, he says, “I was told that 11 is my lucky number!” Looking at Kanda’s season, it seems the fortune teller was spot on.
The original article was published in the matchday program for Kitchee vs BC Rangers in the Hong Kong Premier League on April 12, 2026.