Singapore: Hong Kong champions Kitchee will be without Spanish duo Jordi Tarres and Fernando Recio when the early Group F pace-setters face a return meeting with Singaore’s Balestier Khalsa at Jalan Besar Stadium in the AFC Cup on Tuesday.
In last year’s edition, Kitchee earned two group stage wins against Balestier Khalsa, including a 2-1 victory in Singapore, as the Hong Kong side went on to reach the quarter-finals before being eliminated by three-time champions Kuwait SC.
But centre-back Recio and striker Tarres, who was second highest top-scorer at the 2013 AFC Cup after netting 12 goals in just nine games, will miss the action in Singapore, as will their compatriot Abraham Garcia after he recently stepped down as coach of Kitchee.
“Although our previous coach Abraham Garcia just left, I am confident with our team playing with the style and system we have been using for years,” said caretaker coach Alex Chu after Kitchee began their campaign with a 1-0 win over Kaya FC of the Philippines at the end of last month.
“Our two foreigners are out injured, but we have the same key players who have played in Singapore previously.
“What will determine the outcome is our pacing and speed during the game. If our players can keep up their tempo and play our style, we have a chance.”
Kitchee’s hosts will also be without a foreign forward with Robert Pericic ruled out of the tie with injury.
Balestier Khalsa, though, will look to build on claiming a 2-2 away draw with the Maldives’ New Radiant in their Group F opener a fortnight ago despite having conceded a stoppage time equaliser in Male.
“The match against Kitchee is our chance to grab three points. We did alright against New Radiant in our last game. If we win this match at home, we will be in a strong position to finish in the top two,” said Balestier Khalsa coach Marko Kraljevic, who will be also waiting on the results of a late fitness test to defender Emir Lotinac.
“Playing at Jalan Besar Stadium gives us an edge because we are going to play an attacking game.
“Even though they have been to Singapore and Jalan Besar several times, the artificial turf will still require players to be fully fit to play on the surface.”
In Group F’s other tie, Kaya welcome New Radiant to Rizal Memorial Football Stadium as Joel Villarino’s side prepare for their first-ever AFC Cup group stage tie at home.
“We will rely on the support of the Philippine fans and perform to the best of our abilities,” said Villarino.
“What happened in Hong Kong against Kitchee was a good game. We will adjust a little more with our transition from defence to attack.
“We will use that momentum of the game against Kitchee against New Radiant. We are confident, but we respect all teams in the group and each game is not going to be easy.”
New Radiant, meanwhile, will look to build on snatching a 2-2 draw with Balestier Khalsa at home in last month’s opener as Yordan Stoykov’s side struck in the third minute of stoppage time.
“Kaya are the best team in the group, so I am thinking it’s going to be a very hard game,” said Stoykov.
“We want to show our best and achieve an acceptable result. We are expecting to see good, skilful football.
“We missed so many chances in our game against Balestier and I think we regret that game a little bit more than the Singaporean team.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com