CHAMPIONS LEE MAN SET SIGHTS ON NEXT DYNASTY
Upstart club clinch first league title in their brief history with a dominant win at Sham Shui Po, gaining revenge for last week’s FA Cup semi-final exit
Head coach Tsang Chiu-tat targeted a dominant era for Lee Man, after yesterday’s 6-1 hammering of Sham Shui Po clinched a first league title for the upstart club.
Lee Man needed just a single point to be crowned champions, but delivered a dominant performance in front of jubilant president Norman Lee Man-yan, who established the club in 2017, and a sizeable travelling support.
A double from Henri Anier, who climbed to the top of the league scoring charts, gave the visitors a 2-0 half-time lead, and Givanilton Martins struck soon after the restart to put Lee Man out of sight.
The home side were a shadow of the team who stunned Lee Man in an FA Cup semi-final last week, and conceded further goals to Jonatan Acosta, Cheng Siu-kwan, and Li Ngai-hoi, before a late consolation from Chen Hao.
Lee Man will finish the season unbeaten if they avoid defeat this coming Sunday against Kitchee, champions in five of the past six seasons.
Asked if Lee Man could supplant Kitchee as kings of Hong Kong football, Tsang said: “That is what we are looking for. It will be different as defending champions next season, but today I am so happy for the club.
“The feeling is completely different from how I imagined … it is like a big release, finally the pressure is gone.”
Tsang acknowledged some disappointment that Lee Man would compete in the AFC Champions League Two next season, rather than the elite tournament, following a revamp, but added the continental competition was crucial for his players to “broaden their view of Asian football”.
“It is important we do well for Hong Kong,” he said. “It is a different level of football, and it is what we need to improve.”
Tsang revealed he was in the “early phase” of shaping his squad for next year, while Lee, who addressed celebrating fans at full-time, said money would be available for team strengthening.
Anier, for one, is waiting to hear about a new deal after a fine first season in Hong Kong.
The Estonian striker opened the scoring in 25th minute, and added a second 10 minutes later, his 15th goal of the season, crashing home the rebound after goalkeeper’s Leung Hing-kit excellent save to keep out an initial close-range effort. “We need to enjoy the moment as a whole club,” Anier said. “It is remarkable we are still unbeaten.
“Winning the league for the first time in the club’s history is amazing. It is a change for Hong Kong football, after Kitchee dominated for so many years. This is the start of something new.”
Martins got in behind the hosts’ backline to convert Wong Wai’s inviting delivery for Lee Man’s third goal, and hit the woodwork twice before Acosta, Cheng and Li put the emphasis on a breathless display.
Not even Hao’s curled consolation four minutes from time could take the shine off the afternoon, and Tsang said attention would turn to their final-day clash with Kitchee.
“We were depressed after last week’s [FA Cup] result, but it was a very good indicator for us to prepare for this week,” Tsang said.
“We moved forward together, which is how champions work. We will fight to finish unbeaten.”