PETALING JAYA: Kuching City failed to make home advantage count after being held 1-1 by Hong Kong club Kitchee in their second Group H match of the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two at the State Stadium in Kuching on Thursday (Oct 15).
The hosts enjoyed a dream start when Kitchee goalkeeper Pong Cheuk-Hei failed to control a pass from left-back Callum Beattie, and the ball squirmed past his feet into the empty net, counting as an own goal.
Jolted, Kitchee responded by raising their tempo and levelled in the 14th minute.
Hong Kong international and naturalised Brazilian winger Everton Camargo unleashed a superb left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty box to beat Kuching goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli.
The Hong Kong side dominated the game, controlling possession through former Real Madrid and Spain midfielder Asier Ilarramendi, and created chances thanks to Camargo's trickery. Kuching struggled to hold the ball and relied on quick counter-attacks, which Kitchee's defence snuffed out.
In the second half, Kuching made a change, bringing on Ryan Lambert for Japanese midfielder Kaishu Yamazaki to shore up the midfield, and the home side enjoyed better spells of play.
They also created chances, but Dylan Wenzel-Halls, Gabriel Peres, Ajdin Mujagic and Petrus Shitembi all failed to convert good opportunities.
Kuching are third in Group H with one point, while Kitchee are second with two. Cambodian club Phnom Penh Crown lead the group with six points after beating South Korean side Gangwon in the earlier fixture.
