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Hong Kong Premier League runners-up Lee Man vow 3 more signings as they up pressure on Kitchee
- After already luring Paulo Simionato and Luis Nunes, the club are set to bring in two European forwards and a local player
- They also retain star men Everton Camargo and Gil Martins, with coach Tsang Chiu-tat seeking ‘healthy competition’ for domestic and Champions League push
Lee Man have promised at least three more signings to join the two already announced as they go all out to try to end Kitchee’s dominance in next season’s Hong Kong Premier League.
But the challengers have lined up reinforcements – and will return wiser, captain Ngan Lok-fung said on Tuesday as he and his teammates began preseason early with their AFC Champions League debut in August to prepare for.
“We paid a heavy price for the Kitchee match but learned the lesson,” Ngan said. “We have strengthened and the players gained experience from last season. We are confident.”
His side needed to win that decider to snatch the silverware, and twice led Kitchee before being held 2-2. But head coach Tsang Chiu-tat said a trio of newcomers were set to boost their next tilt.
Striker Paulo Simionato, who scored 16 goals last season for Tai Po, had already joined, as had centre back Luis Nunes, from Southern.
“We will have two quality European forwards to join us next month and also one more local player, with names to be released soon,” Tsang said at Tseung Kwan O Football Training Centre. “They will be here in time for a training camp in South Korea before the Champions League playoff.”
Tsang’s team again have a HK$20 million budget – roughly the same as Kitchee’s, whereas other clubs spend HK$4 million to HK$10 million. That has helped Lee Man to also keep forwards Everton Camargo, Gil Martins and Manuel Bleda.
“We need a big squad with the domestic competitions and Champions League,” Tsang said. “There will be competition, but we need healthy competition.
“We will come back with stronger determination. The target is firmly the league, and also reaching the main round of the Champions League.”
If they get past visitors Bali United in the preliminary round on August 16, they will travel to Japan to meet holders Urawa Red Diamonds for a spot in the main draw.
Thailand centre half Yusef Dolah – man of the match as his country beat Hong Kong last week – is one of several foreign players at Bali United, but Ngan said home advantage would help for the opener.
“That’s always important in regional cup competitions,” the midfielder said.
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Lee Man have yet to finalise a venue, preferring Mong Kok Stadium but mindful that BC Rangers want to play their tie there the day before, which may affect the pitch. Hong Kong Stadium will also be available.
Camargo, the league’s joint top scorer last term with 17 goals, is wanted for national duty by Hong Kong coach Jorn Andersen and hopes to get his paperwork before September’s international window after completing naturalisation procedures.
“The immigration department says my application has been approved, but I have no idea when I can get the passport,” he said. “I can only wait at this moment.”
Lee Man have promised at least three more signings to join the two already announced as they go all out to try to end Kitchee’s dominance in next season’s Hong Kong Premier League.
But the challengers have lined up reinforcements – and will return wiser, captain Ngan Lok-fung said on Tuesday as he and his teammates began preseason early with their AFC Champions League debut in August to prepare for.
“We paid a heavy price for the Kitchee match but learned the lesson,” Ngan said. “We have strengthened and the players gained experience from last season. We are confident.”
His side needed to win that decider to snatch the silverware, and twice led Kitchee before being held 2-2. But head coach Tsang Chiu-tat said a trio of newcomers were set to boost their next tilt.
Striker Paulo Simionato, who scored 16 goals last season for Tai Po, had already joined, as had centre back Luis Nunes, from Southern.
“We will have two quality European forwards to join us next month and also one more local player, with names to be released soon,” Tsang said at Tseung Kwan O Football Training Centre. “They will be here in time for a training camp in South Korea before the Champions League playoff.”
Tsang’s team again have a HK$20 million budget – roughly the same as Kitchee’s, whereas other clubs spend HK$4 million to HK$10 million. That has helped Lee Man to also keep forwards Everton Camargo, Gil Martins and Manuel Bleda.
“We need a big squad with the domestic competitions and Champions League,” Tsang said. “There will be competition, but we need healthy competition.
“We will come back with stronger determination. The target is firmly the league, and also reaching the main round of the Champions League.”
If they get past visitors Bali United in the preliminary round on August 16, they will travel to Japan to meet holders Urawa Red Diamonds for a spot in the main draw.
Thailand centre half Yusef Dolah – man of the match as his country beat Hong Kong last week – is one of several foreign players at Bali United, but Ngan said home advantage would help for the opener.
“That’s always important in regional cup competitions,” the midfielder said.
Lee Man have yet to finalise a venue, preferring Mong Kok Stadium but mindful that BC Rangers want to play their tie there the day before, which may affect the pitch. Hong Kong Stadium will also be available.
Camargo, the league’s joint top scorer last term with 17 goals, is wanted for national duty by Hong Kong coach Jorn Andersen and hopes to get his paperwork before September’s international window after completing naturalisation procedures.
“The immigration department says my application has been approved, but I have no idea when I can get the passport,” he said. “I can only wait at this moment.”