Hong Kong: Coach Alex Chu urged his Kitchee players to avoid any complacency ahead of Wednesday’s AFC Cup last 16 meeting with I-League champions JSW Bengaluru at Mongkok Stadium.
Semi-finalists in the 2014 edition and quarter-finalists last year, the Hong Kong Premier League side cruised into this year’s Round of 16 after they topped Group F ahead of Kaya FC of the Philippines, conceding just once in six games.
However, Chu, who saw his side defeat Pegasus FC 4-1 to win the Hong Kong Premier League Season Play-Off on Sunday, is adamant that their Indian visitors will provide a stern test.
"In the Round of 16, there are no differences between any of the teams – they are all tough opponents,” said Chu.
“JSW Bengaluru is a well-organised team and will be difficult to beat. But we will try our best and we will have confidence in our ability to win this match."
Bengaluru reached the AFC Cup last 16 for a second consecutive year after finishing as runners-up in Group H behind defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim of Malaysia.
And in last year’s competition they also travelled to Hong Kong for their Round of 16 tie when they lost 2-0 to Kitchee’s archrivals South China.
Bengaluru will be hoping for a different result this time at Mongkok Stadium, as well as bouncing back from their last continental outing: a 3-0 loss to Johor in Malaysia.
“Even though we lost to Johor in our last AFC Cup, we still have confidence we can beat Kitchee on Wednesday,” said Bengaluru assistant coach Matthew Holland.
“Kitchee has many good local players and foreign players, too, from the likes of Spain and Korea Republic so it will be a difficult match.
“We will have to play at our maximum capability if we want to make it to the quarter-finals.
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