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Paul McNamara

Inigo Calderon is urging Kitchee to wash away the bitter taste of cup final defeat and wrap up the Premier League on Sunday to prove they are “the best team in Hong Kong”.
Victory over BC Rangers at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground would see head coach Calderon’s side crowned champions with four games to spare.
They could even have their coronation confirmed earlier in the day should Lee Man, who beat Kitchee in Tuesday’s League Cup final, lose their game at North District.
“We have a great chance to get the important trophy, if we win on Sunday it will mean we are the best team in Hong Kong and I want to show that,” Calderon said.
“I said from the start that the league was the one we really wanted. Losing a cup final felt really bad but … it was one game where Lee Man’s plan worked better for them.
“Sunday will be the best way to forget about it. It’s pretty clear the side I want us to be and one game doesn’t change that.”
Although Calderon is “moving behind the scenes to do things for next season”, when he will almost certainly be juggling a title defence with AFC Champions League 2 football, the Spaniard pledged to retain his focus on the closing five matches of this one.
Kitchee are on course for the club’s third invincible campaign, after they won the 2013-14 and 2017-18 titles without losing a match, but with the league splitting into championship and relegation groups following this weekend, their run-in will feature games against the four teams immediately beneath them.

The coach is hoping to see Martin Merquelanz “improving during these final games” after a disrupted start for the former Real Sociedad winger following his February move from FC Andorra.
“He came late and had an injury after he started to play, so he’s behind in terms of tempo and trying to chase the speed of the game,” Calderon said.
Captain Tan Chun-lok did not feature against Lee Man after he completed 90 minutes in Hong Kong’s 2-1 defeat in India last week.
“He was tired and I didn’t see any point in putting him on, but he will be ready for Sunday,” Calderon said.
The only other matter to be settled over the weekend is which team will secure the fifth Championship Group spot.
Having emerged from an alarming mid-season slump, Eastern need only one point against Football Club on Saturday to pip Eastern District and join Kitchee, Lee Man, North District and Tai Po in the top bracket.
“That would give us stability for the project and be a nice achievement for the club,” said Manu Torres, the head coach who was appointed in January after Roberto Losada left for the interim Hong Kong post.

“We are already planning for next season, I’ve had many meetings with the board about the players who should stay, and who we will sign.
“But for the rest of this season we have to be professional every time we go on the pitch, and show we deserve to be in the top five.”
Lam Hin-ting, the talented midfielder whose progress has been checked by indiscipline, has repaid Torres’ faith in him with a string of impressive performances that earned the 26-year-old an appearance off the bench for Hong Kong in India.
“He’s doing things he wasn’t before, he’s growing and working hard,” Torres said. “He’s going to be a great player for Eastern, which means he can be a great player for Hong Kong, too.”


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Matheus Dantas (left), Asier Illarramendi (centre) and Juninho celebrate a victory for Kitchee over Tai Po in January. Photo: Edmond So

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Jevon Groves and Hong Kong staff stage a debrief after the friendly against Fiji. Photo: Karma Lo

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Everton Camargo dribbles towards Matheus Dantas during the League Cup final at Mong Kok Stadium on Tuesday. Photo: Edmond So

Lee Man players and staff celebrate their League Cup final victory over Kitchee. Photo: Edmond So

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Sport

Football

Team closing on club’s 13th Premier League title and first since 2023, in Inigo Calderon’s maiden season in charge


Team closing on club’s 13th Premier League title and first since 2023, in Inigo Calderon’s maiden season in charge.


Champions-elect Kitchee out to show they are ‘best team in Hong Kong’ despite cup final flop

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Team closing on club’s 13th Premier League title and first since 2023, in Inigo Calderon’s maiden season in charge

Team closing on club’s 13th Premier League title and first since 2023, in Inigo Calderon’s maiden season in charge