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發表於 2012-5-23 17:05:36
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Kitchee aim first QF place
Hong Kong: Hong Kong champions Kitchee are out to add to an already impressive season by booking a place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup for the first time with victory over Arema Indonesia at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground on Wednesday.
Josep Gombau’s side have already retained the Hong Kong First Division title this season and face TSW Pegasus in the final of the FA Cup at the weekend.
But first Group F Kitchee must overcome Arema in the one-off last 16 tie, although Gombau will be without suspended midfielder Chan Man Fai.
“Team preparation has been good; it’s a very important game in the last 16. We haven’t played this kind of game before; I have never played in the last 16,” said Kitchee coach Josep Gombau.
“I’m sure we will try to win to go to the last eight. We have a lot of respect for Arema. We want to try and win and go to the last eight and make this season even better.
“Arema is a very good team, I saw their last two matches. They have young players who are fast and skillful. Tomorrow will be an equal game, we will be equal and I hope Kitchee will progress to the last eight.”
Arema, who are managed by former Kitchee player and coach Dejan Antonic, surprisingly claimed their place in the last 16 with a runner-up finish in Group H after winning their last two games to edge out Vietnam’s Navibank Saigon and Myanmar’s Ayeyawady United on head-to-head record.
Antonic, though, will be without Australian striker Andrew Barisic and midfielder Fariz Bagus Dhinata due to suspension.
Former Gold Coast United striker Barisic scored twice in six appearances during the Group Stage, while Dhinata also started all six games for two-time AFC Champions League qualifiers Arema.
“We have prepared like any other game. Obviously tactically we have to change a little bit, but I expect to see two teams who will fight to go to the next round,” said former Hong Kong national team coach Antonic, who won the Hong Kong League Cup twice and the Hong Kong Senior Shield Cup during his time with Kitchee between 2005-2008.
“I worked for a very long time for Kitchee; I started as a coach there. I have a lot of respect for all of Kitchee, the players and the staff whom I all know very well.” |
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