Kitchee kicked off their AFC Champions League Two campaign with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against K League 1 side Gangwon FC at a vibrant Mong Kok Stadium on Thursday night (September 17). Despite playing the final 20 minutes with ten men, Kitchee put on a resolute defensive display to earn a valuable point in their Group H opener.
Making their debut appearance in the newly revamped ACL2 tournament, Kitchee started brightly and carved out several promising opportunities in the opening stages. Víctor Camarasa unleashed a powerful left-footed strike from the edge of the area that flew just wide of the post, before captain Ruslan Mingazov connected with a precise cross from Everton Carmago, only to see his glancing header shave the woodwork. At the other end, goalkeeper Pong Cheuk Hei was in inspired form, safely gathering a close-range header and brilliantly tipping a fierce long-range effort over the crossbar to keep the visitors at bay.
Early in the second half, Pong made another crucial save to deny Gangwon. Kitchee countered with attempts from Marcos Santos and Koldo Obieta.
The momentum shifted in the 70th minute when Mingazov received a second yellow card for a handball. Substitute Lam Pak Yin also had to be replaced shortly after due to injury. Despite being a man down, Kitchee held firm to secure a historic first point in the group stage.