As he ended his AFC Champions League 2021 group stage campaign with a 0-0 draw against more formidable opponents in the form of Cerezo Osaka, Kichi proved he was a strong side in Asia's premier club competition. can compete with it.
They need help now if they are to make history by becoming the first team from Hong Kong to advance to the knockout rounds, as Friday's result was not yet enough to secure their last-16 spot.
Currently, Kichi – who did well to finish second in Group J after finishing at the bottom of the pile in their previous ACL appearance – entered as the third team of three best-of-five runners-up. do. Group winner in the East Zone of the Round of 16.
However, three groups still have to finish the game and both Gamba Osaka and Daegu could overtake them in Group H and I respectively.
Kichi will now have to play the waiting game over the next few days before finding out his fate, but should he get there, he has proven he can at least frustrate and compete, if not necessarily. Better, then the best of the competition.
Granted, in his two matches against Cerezo - the standout side in Group J - Kichi was on the backfoot, enjoying only 27% possession in Friday's second encounter.
But they were not expected to go toe-to-toe with each other at this stage with far more experience and a stronger squad on paper. In any case, it would be foolish to attempt such a thing.
Instead, Kitchi's coach Alex Chu determined his side to stabilize defensively, aiming to be dangerous on the counter.
Based on a 0–0 draw with Cerezo, the game plan worked. And it's one that will need to be re-employed if they reach the round of 16 and there are tough trials waiting.
Kitchi Defense, where Park Joon-hyeong is notably the youngest member at 28 years old, is full of experience. Huang Yang, Raul Baena and Clayton form a midfield triangle that offers plenty of bite but also has the ability to be creative in the last third when needed.
And perhaps most importantly, for a team that wants to soak up the pressure before delivering a sucker punch, they have the perfect man to capitalize on any chances created in 39-year-old Dejan Damjanovic, who recently The tournament's all-time top scorer.
Kichi probably lack that extra quality to reach the later stages of the competition, yet they will prove to be a tough team to break through for any opposition they may come up against.
In any case, it will be an achievement in itself for them to be among the best 16 teams in Asia this season.
But, for now, they'll need some results to go their way to get to first place.