This match sums up our football perfectly; decent in attack when we actually try to score goals, cannot defend to save our lives. Still, Maldivian clubs don't often score 3 goals away from home, so it gives me hope for VB's home matches.
As part of my Chonburi v Home United preview, you can read the first part of an in depth interview with a Protectors fan here http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/113109/News/view/650775
Ya, East Bengal is showing why India SHOULD be in the AFC Champions League. "sarcastic" I doubt we will play AFC Champions League football again after I watched the highlights of most of the matches, the teams are just too good and I-League is behind.
The two goals are by Kitchee striker Jordi and Chu Siu-Kei. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUj01a4cH7k"]Terengganu 0-2 Kitchee FC | AFC Cup 2012 - YouTube[/ame]
South China Morning Post Kitchee survive heat to lead AFC Cup group Mar 21, 2012 Kitchee clinched an important away victory in the AFC Cup yesterday, defeating Malaysian side Terengganu 2-0 to put them at the top of group F with two straight wins. Spanish forward Jorge Tarres struck in the closing stages of the first period before Chu Siu-kei sealed the victory in the second half. If they can continue their winning streak over Song Lam Nghe An of Vietnam at home in the next match, they stand a great chance to advance to the knockout stage. The scoreline notwithstanding, Kitchee had to dig deep against Terengganu as the home team dominated most of the possessions. Club president Ken Ng Kin paid tribute to the players' attitude. "The hot weather made it very difficult for us and indeed after the first 30 minutes, the energy levels of our players dropped drastically," said Ng. "We were pinned back in defence most of the time, but thanks to the hard work of the boys, we stayed focused and our defence also did an exceptionally good job. Our goalkeeper's acrobatic saves frustrated the opposition repeatedly." Meanwhile, injury plagued Citizen face a stern test against visitors Yangon United of Myanmar in group G at Mong Kok Stadium tonight. Strikers Paulo Carreiro and Yuan Yang are both sidelined through injury. "Myanmar soccer remains a mystery to us, but Yangon United held group favourites Chonburi of Thailand to a 1-1 draw in their first match," said club president Pui Kwan-kay. In the absence of Carreiro, Yuto Nakamura remains the lone striker up front, while stopper Ma Ka-ki is to be introduced in midfield to strengthen their defence. Citizen badly need a win to bolster their hopes after Home United 3-1 beat them in Singapore two weeks ago.
Wednesday 21st March Chonburi v Home Utd Read my exclusive interview with Home Utd keeper Lionel Lewis here: http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/113109/News/view/651108
South China Morning Post Citizen snatch sensational last-minute victory Captain Baise pops in late goal to secure first AFC Cup win for his side as they edge Yangon United Chan Kin-wa Skipper Festus Baise's late goal gave Citizen a sensational 2-1 win over Yangon United last night in their first victory in the AFC Cup. With the match heading for a 1-1 draw, the Citizen captain made no mistake when he was free on the left to power home a low drive with one minute to go, inspiring the 1,000 fans into cheers at Mong Kok Stadium. Although Myanmar's Yangon United coach Eric Williams indicated that Baise was offside before touching the ball, the goal was allowed. "The referee did not rule out the goal," said Baise. "It's always nice to score a goal like this because the match is almost over. But I won't say I am a super star. This is the result of team work. We kept going until the last minute and the result came." The win revitalised Citizen's hopes in their first regional cup campaign. But they are now third in the four-team group, with three points from two matches - just one behind leaders Chonburi of Thailand. The Thai squad featured in the region's second tier cup tie only after losing in the Asian Champions League preliminaries. The group G favourites beat Home United of Singapore 1-0 in another match last night. With a shortage of attacking players due to injury, Citizen had to rely on their counter-attack, allowing the opposition to take the initiative. They were lucky to take the lead in the second half when defender Helio Goncalves headed home a fast free-kick, with Yangon United players still trying to form the wall. The visitors replied with the equaliser through their expatriate, Milan Jovanovic, who hit a half volley in the 64th minute. Citizen executive director Calvin Pui Ho-wang admitted the visitors were strong. Yangon coach Eric Williams said two lapses of concentration cost them. "Our performance was good," he said. "We played an away match, but in the first half we thought we were the home team. Citizen played negative football, and only relied on counter-attacks. But unfortunately, we felt asleep and lost."
Navibank Saigon 4-1 Ayeyawady United Tampines Rovers 0-1 Terenganu FA East Bengal 0-2 Arbil Neftchi Fergana 3-1 Al Oruba SC Kelantan 3-0 Arema Indonesia
VB score 3 goals to Saudi and Lebanon team and 2 goals to Kuwait team Salute to their attack football!
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBX_wMALS3w"]2012 AFC Cup Group F 04-04-2012 Kitchee vs Song Lam Nghe An 2:0 - YouTube[/ame] Kitchee vs Song Lam Nghe An highlights
South China Morning Post Kitchee make it hat-trick of wins Hong Kong champions' victory over Vietnamese side maintains 100 per cent AFC Cup record and moves them a step closer to qualification for round of 16 Chan Kin-wa Kitchee continued their march towards the knockout phase of the AFC Cup yesterday, with a commanding 2-0 win over Vietnamese side Song Lam Nghe An at Tseung Kwan O Stadium. The Hong Kong champions' third successive victory in group F upheld their position as one of only two teams with a 100 per cent record in the competition. "We now stand a very strong chance of reaching the round of 16, but we are not yet there," said coach Josep Gombau. "Today's victory was crucial but we still need at least three more points. Our two next matches will be away games, which usually present a lot more problems for us than when we play at home." Syria's Al Shorta, in group E, are the other club with a perfect record. Kitchee will leave for Vinh, Song Lam Nghe An's home city, tomorrow in an effort to maximise their prospects of acclimatising ahead of the return fixture on Tuesday. "Every match in the AFC Cup is difficult. Even though we won today, we were under a lot of pressure before we scored," said Gombau. "We have sent scouts to Vinh and we know the weather and the pitch conditions in the Vinh Stadium are difficult. But it is always like that in an AFC Cup away match. We have to cope." Playing in front of 1,700 fans, Kitchee were in control of last night's game from the start, and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring in the 11th minute, Zeshan Rehman heading home from a corner. It was the former Fulham defender's first goal for Kitchee since joining from Muangthong United of Thailand in January. Song Lam Nghe An had more possession in the second half, with their Cameroon international, Gustave Bebbe, going close several times. Floodlight problems marred about 10 minutes of the match, but the natural light following the 5pm kick-off allowed the contest to continue. Chu settled matters when he scored in the 73rd minute. Chu, who has vast experience in the AFC Cup from his time with Sun Hei, controlled a pass from Jorge Tarres with his left foot and sent the ball into the net with a right-footed half-volley. "It was a wonderful goal," said Chu, the Kitchee captain. "We have had a good team spirit … and this helped me to score." The midfielder helped Sun Hei reach two AFC Cup quarter-finals and one semi-final before joining Kitchee. The 32-year-old also scored in Malaysia when they defeated Terengganu 2-0 last month. Song Lam Nghe An coach Ngyuen Huu Thang paid tribute to Kitchee. He said: "We will try our best at home, but we must accept Kitchee are a strong side." The Vietnam Super League champions have collected one point so far from three matches. The Standard Kitchee thrash AFC Vietnam rivals 2-0 Hong Kong powerhouse Kitchee continued their good run in the AFC Cup by defeating Group F opponents Song Lam Nghe An of Vietnam 2-0 at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground last night. The visiting side fired the first shot of the game in the eighth minute when Cameroon forward Anicet Bebbe unleashed a shot that sailed high above the Kitchee goal. Kitchee took the lead shortly afterwards when a corner from the home side found the head of forward Chu Siu-ki. The ball then landed in front of teammate Zeshan Rehman and the Kitchee star defender calmly headed the ball into the visitors' net. The Vietnamese visitors came out strongly in the second half but to no avail. Kitchee extended their lead in the 74th minute when captain Chu showed his class by coolly chipping the ball over the Song Lam Nghe An goalkeeper and into the net, giving the home side a 2-0 winning margin.