Kitchee’s 2025/26 season finale took place at the Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground on Sunday (May 17). It was a thrilling encounter that also marked legendary goalkeeper Wang Zhenpeng’s final match, starting for the club he has served for 21 years.
The goalfest started in the 7th minute. Lam Pak Yin’s long ball found Ruslan Mingazov, who beat Eastern's high defensive line and easily slotted the ball into the empty net to give Kitchee the lead. However, Eastern quickly equalised with a powerful header inside the penalty box. Less than a minute later, Mingazov scored his brace with a header of his own, thanks to an exquisite cross from the left by Cheung Yiu Hin. Kitchee's lead was short-lived, as Eastern scored two consecutive goals just before the break, leaving Kitchee trailing 2-3 at halftime.
Kitchee showed more attacking intent as the second half got underway, and a brilliant free-kick by Martin Merquelanz brought the Blues level. In the 80th minute, Leandro Martinez passed to Adrian Revilla, who curled a beautiful strike from outside the box to give Kitchee a 4-3 lead. Wang Zhenpeng was substituted in the 94th minute to a roaring standing ovation, as the stadium erupted with applause and chants to say goodbye to the veteran goalkeeper. However, just as the full-time whistle neared, Eastern managed to find another equaliser, bringing the thrilling match to a 4-4 finish.
With the season now concluded, Kitchee finished their HKPL campaign with 52 points from 22 games, successfully clinching the Hong Kong Premier League title after a two-season wait.