AFC Cup semi final between Arbil and Kitchee SC

On September 16, 2014 a hot and dry afternoon at Jordon, the Iraqi team of Arbil and Hong Kong team of Kitchee played out the first leg of one of the two 2014 AFC Cup semi-finals.  The game is contested closely with Arbil players running over the defence of Kitchee frequently, however Kitchee defensive players did a good job to hold out Arbil players and the game ended at a scoreline of 1-1.

The team lineup for Kitchee has been a bit of the changes from last quarter final game against Ninh Binh in Hong Kong with Ngan Lok Fung and Tsang Chi Hau missing due to injury.  Gao Wen and Huang Yang are taking the places.  The first half is a game with Arbil knocking on the door of Kitchee many times and luckily Kitchee keeper Wang Zhen Peng has a few saves and the first half ended with the score at 0-0.

Second half Kitchee comes out with a little bit more on offensive side but yet it is difficult to break open the backline of Arbil.  At 58' Kitchee has a corner and the cross from Lam Ka Wai is meeting Balencoso and his header is just missed out by hitting the post.  Thereafter at 59' Arbil has scored its goal with a right side cross and player number 11 Luay Salah seized the opportunity to poke in from 6 yard box.  Just thought the game could have ended with a goal in the advantage of Arbil, Kitchee came back from behind to snatch a penalty before its striker Juan Balancoso converted the penalty to give Kitchee an away 1-1 draw to take home back to Hong Kong Mongkok Stadium on September 30, 2014.

A summary of the two goals can be seen at the below link.  Enjoy it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SApGV1rJ01c