ACL2: The Cats, Kitchee SC are happy to share eyes

KUCHING, Oct 15: Kuching City FC had to settle for one point after tied 1-1 against Hong Kong's Kitchee SC in Group H action of the Asian Champions League Two (ACL2) campaign at Taha Ariffin Stadium, last night.

The Cats got off to a brilliant start as they took the lead early in the second minute through their own Kitchee SC network following the mistake of their goalkeeper who failed to control back-to-back deliveries from teammates.

However, Kitchee rose up to stage an attack in search of a goal match, but Kuching City managed to curb the influx of visitors while continuing to threaten the enemy's stronghold.

Dylan Wenzel-Halls almost doubled the lead in the ninth minute, but his attempt was just to pass the goal.

Kitchee eventually tied the score 1-1 in the 14th minute with Everton Camargo releasing a left foot kick to defeat Kuching City goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli.

Kuching City then increased the pressure to score a second goal and almost regained the lead in the 26th minute with Ajdin Mugajic, but his attempt was thwarted by Kitchee goalkeeper Pong Cheuk Hei Bear.

Three minutes later, Ajdin once again had the opportunity to create a network after receiving Jerome Etame's contribution, but failed to perfect the opportunity.

The striker also managed to find the net in the 32nd minute, but the goal was canceled due to an offside.

Connecting the second half, both teams played a balanced game by launching attacks on each other in an attempt to find the winning goal.

Aidil Sharin Sahak's tactics also altered the pace of the more intense game to increase the sharpness of the attack.

Kuching City nearly broke the deadlock in the 68th minute with Ajdin's horn after receiving a Shitembi delivery, but the ball slipped slightly.

The Cats continued to cook until the final whistle to hunt for a winning goal, but the result remained 1-1 and saw both teams have to share points in Group H competition. - TVS