HKPL U-22 League kicked off last night (September 9). Kitchee faced Eastern in the highly anticipated "Battle of the Blues" at Tin Yip Road Park for their season opener, ultimately securing a 2-0 victory to claim their first three points of the campaign.
Kitchee has registered 14 U-22 players this season. For this match, Tuscany Shek, Cheung Yiu Hin, Liang Kui Chung, Yiu Tsz Leong, Yan Hei Yin, Yu Ching Wai, Li Siu Hin, and captain Yuen Chun Him were named in the starting lineup. They were joined by Poon Wing Kei, Pang Hing Lun, and Ma Lok Sephrey, who made his debut in the U-22 League.
Kitchee controlled most of the attacking pressure and broke the deadlock in the 25th minute. Yuen Chun Him won possession at the edge of the penalty box and fired a strike into the back of the net, putting Kitchee 1-0 ahead. In the 44th minute, Kitchee doubled their lead when Li Siu Hin intercepted a pass in the attacking third and immediately unleashed a brilliant lob over the goalkeeper, ensuring Kitchee went into the break with a 2-0 cushion.
Holding a comfortable lead, Kitchee continued to dominate proceedings in the second half. The biggest chance of this half fell to Li Siu Hin, whose close-range effort rattled off the crossbar, and his subsequent header on the rebound was safely gathered by the Eastern goalkeeper.
Ultimately, Kitchee defeated Eastern 2-0 to successfully secure their first victory of the U-22 League season.