AFC CUP QF 2ND LEG: KITCHEE 1-1 KUWAIT SC (1-7 AGG.)

Hong Kong: Three-time champions Kuwait SC returned to the semi-finals of the AFC Cup after a 1-1 draw with Hong Kong’s Kitchee in their quarter-final second leg on Wednesday secured a 7-1 win on aggregate.

After losing 6-0 in Kuwait City last month, the home side needed to at least equal that score at Mongkok Stadium to stand any chance of progression, and they went in front inside 10 minutes through a header from Brazilian striker Paulinho.

But the visitors equalised early in the second half through a Fahad Al Hajeri header to end any remaining hope Kitchee had as 2009, 2012 and 2013 champions Kuwait SC qualified for their fourth semi-final in five years.

A job well done declares Hajeyar as Kuwait SC reach semis 

Needing an early goal having lost last month’s first leg in Kuwait, Kitchee took the lead in the eighth minute when captain Lo Kwan Yee picked up a short corner from the right and crossed to Paulinho, who outjumped Kuwait SC goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al Hesainan to head into the back of the net from six yards for his first goal of the tournament.

And the home side could have doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when forward Lam Ka Wei slipped in Paulinho, but the Brazilian’s shot from just inside the penalty area was well saved by Al Hesainan.

But four minutes after the restart, captain Husain Al Shammari delivered a free-kick from the left which landed at the feet of Brazilian Vinicius Lopes, and when his effort with his back to goal was saved by keeper Wang Zhenpeng, defender Al Hajeri was on hand to head home from close range.

Kitchee, though, nearly regained the lead a minute later through Lam’s low drive from 20 yards, but his attempt was well saved by Al Hesainan and Lo was off target with the rebound.

Then just before the hour mark, the hosts again went close when a header from Spanish striker Juan Belencoso from a Tong Kin Man cross from the right was expertly tipped round the post by Al Hesainan.

And midway through the second half, 2014 semi-finalists Kitchee should have again gone back in front after a lovely move down the left that saw Lam slip in Paulinho, whose neat dinked cross was headed over by Lo with the goal at his mercy.

Belencaso did have the ball in the back of the net with 15 minutes remaining after the Spanish striker headed home Lo’s cross, but the assistant referee had already flagged for offside.

With the game now completely open, it was the visitors turn to threaten as a low strike from Kuwait SC’s Brazilian Rogerinho struck the woodwork from the edge of the area.

And with just minutes remaining, Al Hesainan again got the better of Belencoso, this time when he tipped over his effort from eight yards to ensure the second leg finished level.