Lee Man open season at home against Kowloon City
On.cc · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Sunday’s BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League programme includes Lee Man’s home opener against Wofoo Kowloon City at Mong Kok Stadium, with kick-off set for 6:30pm after an earlier North District versus Tai Po match. Lee Man arrive after three pre-season draws against Thai League 1 opposition, while Kowloon City say six warm-up matches have helped integrate new signings ahead of a difficult first fixture
Key Points
- Lee Man’s new head coach Giancarlo “Chiefy” said the Thailand training camp helped build chemistry and accelerate players’ understanding of his new tactical system over the past three weeks
- Lee Man drew all three friendlies against Bangkok United, BG Pathum United and Sisaket United, and Chiefy said he wants the side to show an attacking identity from the opening round
- Chiefy described Kowloon City as direct and disciplined defensively, saying Lee Man must press proactively from the start to break down a compact back line
- Kowloon City midfielder Kessi said the team played six pre-season matches, using training and games to improve fitness, cohesion and the adaptation of new foreign players to league demands
- Kowloon City have taken only one draw and four defeats in their last five meetings with Lee Man, but Kessi said last season’s progress proved the team can still challenge
Why It Matters
For Lee Man, the opener is an early test of whether a new coach’s attacking ideas can translate quickly into results as the club chases another Asian competition place. For Kowloon City, a strong display against last season’s league third-placed side would offer an immediate measure of how far the squad has progressed after its record-setting previous campaign