Kitchee players will be allowed to play against Inter Miami in Hong Kong despite fixture clash, club’s boss says
- Kim Dong-jin says he will release any players selected for Hong Kong team to tackle the likes of Lionel Messi
- Dominant domestically but unable to bridge the gap in class in their continental campaign, Kitchee are relishing friendly against city’s national team, Kim says
Interim head coach Kim Dong-jin said Kitchee would release any players selected for the Hong Kong team to face Inter Miami in February.
The exhibition match on February 4 clashes with a handful of Hong Kong Premier League fixtures, and Kitchee’s Sapling Cup meeting with Crownity North District.
But Kim, who was considering entering the transfer market before his team renews its title battle with Lee Man in February, said playing against Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Co qualified as a priceless opportunity for local talent.
Representatives from Lee Man, Tai Po and BC Rangers have all told the Post their clubs would not stand in the way of players chosen for the game at Hong Kong Stadium.
“I do not know who will be selected, but no matter who is, they will have our permission to play,” Kim said. “They can learn so much from playing against Messi and Busquets, and other strong players.
“It would be a valuable experience, and I think the match is a good step for Hong Kong football.”
Kitchee sauntered to a 5-1 victory over RCFC in their final league fixture until February 17. Lee Man subsequently won 3-2 at high-flying Tai Po to reestablish a three-point lead at the top of the table, leaving Kim to considering bringing in reinforcements ahead of an intriguing second half of the season.
He has already added Uzbekistan striker Sherzod Temirov, who has scored twice in his past two appearances, but allowed Ogenyi Onazi and Aleksandar Damcevski to leave over the past month.
Centre-back Damcevski’s two appearances following his summer arrival included a calamitous showing in a 4-1 defeat by Lee Man, while midfielder Onazi, another preseason capture, underwhelmed in his five outings.
Kitchee will try to salvage a modicum of AFC Champions League pride when they play their final game at Singapore’s Lion City Sailors on Wednesday, after claiming only one point from their opening five matches.
Kim, who vowed to “field the strongest team available”, provided positive updates on a trio of players.
Goalkeeper Paulo Cesar is expected to be fit following a fortnight out with a knee injury, and Kim Shin-wook, the South Korean striker, is poised to travel after one month on the sidelines. Igor Sartori missed Friday’s league win with a minor problem but is set to feature.
Forward Mikael Severo is suspended, however, and Ruslan Mingazov was a doubt after injury forced his premature withdrawal against RCFC.
Kim was also eyeing a date with Jorn Andersen’s national team next Monday, with Kitchee the opponents for Hong Kong’s opening Asian Cup warm-up fixture.
“Coach Andersen asked me to play a friendly game, and I think both teams can take important things from it,” Kim said. “We will play seriously, it is a good chance to face a strong opponent. All our matches over the next two months are important, even the Sapling Cup. They are opportunities to establish our style of play and maintain fitness.”
