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Kitchee SC

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kitchee
Full nameKitchee Sports Club
NicknamesThe Bluewaves (香港巴塞)
The Bluebirds (藍鳥)
Founded1931; 95 years ago (1931)
GroundTseung Kwan O Sports Ground
Capacity3,500
PresidentKen Ng
Head coachIñigo Calderón
LeagueHong Kong Premier League
2025–26Hong Kong Premier League, 1st of 10
Websitewww.kitchee.com
Current season

Kitchee Sports Club (Chinese: 傑志體育會; Jyutping: Git6zi3 Tai2juk6wui2; [kit̚˨ tsi˧ tʰɐj˧˥ jʊk̚˨ wuj˧˥]; pinyin: Jiézhì tǐyù huì) is a Hong Kong professional football club based in Kowloon. It was founded in 1931 and currently competes in the Hong Kong Premier League.

Throughout the club history, Kitchee is one of the most successful club in Hong Kong where they won 13 league titles, including 7 Hong Kong First Division titles and six Hong Kong Premier League titles. They also won 7 FA Cups, 5 League Cup and 9 Senior Shield. The club is also the first Hong Kong club to win a game in the AFC Champions League group stage and to advance to the round of 16 of the competition.

History

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Formation of the club (1931–1938)

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Kitchee's first headquarters at 130 Johnston Road, Wan Chai.

In the late 1920s, a group of Hong Kongers formed a football team in order to compete in the Hong Kong Third Division. It was not until 1931, however, that the team was established as Kitchee Sports Club.[1]

Kitchee was founded as a grassroots organization, as such, they lacked the funding to pay the administrative and facilities costs necessary to become a multi sports club.

It was not until 1934 when the club were able to raise the money to rent an office at 130 Johnston Road in Wan Chai, that they were admitted as members of the Hong Kong Football Association.[2]

World War II era (1939–1946)

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In 1939, Japanese bombs hit Hong Kong during the Second Sino-Japanese War.[3] The club's records during this time were destroyed during the bombing.

As the Pacific War began, Hong Kong fell to the Japanese on 25 December 1941, therefore the club's operations were suspended during the three-year, eight-month Japanese occupation of Hong Kong.

After the Japanese surrender of Hong Kong in August 1945, former members of Kitchee returned to the club. They resolved to help revitalize the Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation of Hong Kong and establish the Chinese Football Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Chinese Football Referees’ Association and the Hong Kong Chinese Footballer's Fraternity.[4]

Rise to prominence and first dynasty (1947–1964)

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Kitchee squad in Macau ahead of a charity exhibition match in 1959.

Following the war, Kitchee were admitted into the 1947–48 Hong Kong First Division League where they won the league title, the club's first major trophy. Between 1947 and 1964, the club won three Hong Kong First Division titles, one Second Division title, four Hong Kong Senior Shield's and one Hong Kong Junior Shield.

During this period, Kitchee discovered Hong Kong football legends Yiu Cheuk Yin and Lam Sheung Yee. Yiu led the club to its first two First Division titles and later became known as the "Treasure of Hong Kong Football."[5] Lam spent a total 14 years at Kitchee, split between two spells, and was a part of every Kitchee squad which won a trophy between 1948 and 1964.[6]

Yo-yo years (1965–2000)

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In 1965–66, Kitchee won only one game while drawing four others in the season, finishing second bottom of the table. The club were relegated after a 17-year spell in the top flight. In the subsequent season, Kitchee slid into the Third Division for the first time in three decades.

In the late 1980s, Law Ding Chun was hired as the new chairman of Kitchee. Law moved quickly to modernize the operations of Kitchee, buying insurance for all of his players in order to provide them with peace of mind in the event of an injury. His changes worked as Kitchee were soon promoted back to the Second Division.

In 1991–92, Kitchee won the Second Division title, returning to the top flight for the first time in 26 years. The squad during this period featured many future Hong Kong internationals including Yau Kin Wai, Chung Ho Yin, Yeung Hei Chi, Yeung Ching Kwong, Dale Tempest, as well as former England international Mark Barham. Kitchee spent three seasons in the top flight before they were relegated along with Kui Tan at the end of the 1994–95 season.

During the 1998–99 season, Kitchee won promotion back to the First Division as well as the Hong Kong Junior Shield. The following year, the squad were led by a backbone of young local players such as Lee Wai Lun, Man Pei Tak and Ng Wai Chiu.

However, these were soon poached by bigger clubs and due to inadequate replacements, the performance of the team suffered and Kitchee were once again relegated at the conclusion of the 2000–01 season.

Ahead of the 2002–03 season, former Hong Kong national team manager Chan Hung Ping was hired as Kitchee's manager. He led the team to the Second Division title in his one and only season as manager.

Back to the top flight (2003–2009)

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Chu Chi Kwong is the most decorated manager in the club history helping Kitchee to win 16 titles and also won the Hong Kong Coach of the Year award on three occasions.

Following their return to the First Division in 2003, Kitchee became one of the most prominent teams in Hong Kong, winning three trophies in two seasons under coach Dejan Antonic: two in 2005–06 and one in 2006–07 season.

The club secured 2nd place in the league, along with league champions South China who had already qualified for the AFC Cup as the Hong Kong Senior Shield winners. As a result, Kitchee became one of two Hong Kong representatives in the 2008 AFC Cup. In the 2008 AFC Cup, Kitchee was drawn in Group E where they were drawn alongside Malaysian club Perak, Singaporean club Singapore Armed Forces and Maldivian club New Radiant. Kitchee recorded their win first in a 2–0 win over New Radiant on 18 March 2008 where Wilfred Bamnjo and Goran Stankovski scored the goal. However, Kitchee was bowed out from the tournament after finishing third in the group stage.

Rebuilding and decade of dominance (2009–2023)

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Josep Gombau era (2009–2013)

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In the 2010–11 season, under coach Josep Gombau, Kitchee won its first league title in 47 years by one point over arch rival South China,[7] allowing the club to compete in both the 2011 Premier League Asia Trophy, where they lost 0–4 to Chelsea and 0–3 to Blackburn Rovers, and in the 2012 AFC Cup.[8]

Kitchee were invited to take part in the 2010 Singapore Cup,[9] becoming the first Hong Kong team to take part in the tournament. The club lost to Étoile 4–6 over two legs in the quarter-final.

Domestic treble

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In the 2011–12 season, Kitchee won the domestic treble after successfully defending their league title and also winning both the 2011–12 Hong Kong FA Cup after defeating TSW Pegasus 5–3 on penalties and the 2011–12 Hong Kong League Cup defeating the same opponent 2–1 in the league cup final. In the 2012 AFC Cup, Kitchee was drawn in Group F alongside Malaysian club Terengganu, Singaporean club Tampines Rovers and Vietnamese club Sông Lam Nghệ An. Kitchee manage to topped the group and advance to the round of 16 where the club faced off against Indonesian club Arema, however, Kitchee lost 2–0 thus crashing out from the tournament.

Kitchee won the 2013–14 First Division league title after both co-caretakers, Chu Chi Kwong and Cheng Siu Chung guided the team to their first top flight title after 3 years.

José Francisco Molina era (2014–2015)

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On 23 May 2014, Kitchee appointed former Atlético Madrid goalkeeper José Francisco Molina as the club manager ahead of the inaugural revamp Hong Kong Premier League season. Molina helms the club to win the 2014–15 league title, the 2014–15 HKFA Cup and the 2014–15 League Cup, completing the domestic treble for the second time in the club history.[10]

Between 2011 and 2014, Kitchee players combined to win the Footballer of the Year award for four straight years. The recipients of this award were Roberto Losada in 2011, Lo Kwan Yee in 2012, Huang Yang in 2013 and Fernando Recio in 2014.

In 2016–17, Kitchee completed a treble for the third time, capturing the Senior Shield, the Hong Kong FA Cup and the Hong Kong Premier League title.[11] The club promoted long time assistant coach Chu Chi Kwong to head coach role and Director of Football. Brazilian attacking midfielder Fernando won the 2017 Footballer of the Year award while striker Sandro won the Golden Boot.[12]

Diego Forlán from Uruguay ended his professional football career with Kitchee

During the 2017 AFC Champions League qualifiers, Kitchee won against Vietnam's Hanoi 3–2 but lost in the playoff rounds to Ulsan Hyundai in penalties.[13]

AFC Champions League debut

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The following season, Kitchee directly qualified 2018 AFC Champions League group stage after winning the 2016–17 season league title. To prepare for the competition, the club signed former FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winner, Uruguayan footballer Diego Forlán.[14] Kitchee was drawn in Group E alongside Japanese club Kashiwa Reysol, Korean club Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Chinese club Tianjin Quanjin. On 14 March 2018, Cheng Chin Lung scored in stoppage time to secure Kitchee a 1–0 win over Kashiwa Reysol at home, becoming the first team from Hong Kong to win a game in the history of the AFC Champions League group stage.[15] Domestically, Kitchee won the Premier League, FA Cup and the Sapling Cup, completing a treble for the second consecutive season and the fourth in club history.[16]

In 2021, Kitchee signed former Montenegrin international Dejan Damjanović, who won the Golden Boot with 17 goals. ls in his first season with the club.[17] Kitchee won the 2020–21 Hong Kong Premier League title on the final day of the season, beating rivals Eastern 2–0.[18] Kitchee followed up their domestic success by accumulating 11 points in their 2021 AFC Champions League, a record for a Hong Kong club in the competition.[19]

During the 2022 AFC Champions League, Kitchee made history by becoming the first Hong Kong club to advance to the round of 16. However, the club suffered a 4–0 thrashing defeat to Thai club BG Pathum United.[20]

In 2022–23 season, Kitchee completed a treble again by winning the Senior Shield, the Hong Kong FA Cup and the Hong Kong Premier League title.[21]

Club overhaul (2024–present)

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During the 2023–24 season, Kitchee went through a complete overhaul which saw the likes of Charlie Scott, Mikael, Cleiton depart. However they have internally hired Portuguese Edgar Cardoso as their new head coach along with several new signings which include former Blackburn Rovers youth academy player Jay Haddow as well as English goalkeeper Fynn Talley, Portuguese winger Luis Machado and Brazilian striker Welthon for the 2024–25 season.

However, the club once again failed to acquire any silverware and after Kitchee's humiliating loss to Hong Kong Premier League rivals Lee Man, the club confirmed Edgar Cardoso's departure and will leave once the 2024–25 season ends.

On 4 July 2025, the club unveiled former Brighton & Hove Albion defender Iñigo Calderón as their newest manager to succeed Edgar Cardoso for the 2025–26 season. On 16 September 2025, Kitchee signed former Spanish international and Real Madrid player, Asier Illarramendi on a free transfer.

Team image

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Supporters

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Established in 2011, the Blue Wave is the official fans club organised by Kitchee to offer fans with special perks and offers.

Originally a fans-organised cheering group, the Blue Wave became the club's official fans club in 2011, while retaining the name Blue Wave after the reorganisation.

Since its formation, the Blue Wave has become an identity shared by all Kitchee fans as they come to the stadium every match day, cheering and supporting the players on the field.

Stadium

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Mong Kok Stadium has been the home ground for the club from 2013 until 2025.

From 2010 to 2012, Kitchee played its home matches at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground, which served as the club's home venue during this period. In 2013, the club moved to Mong Kok Stadium in Kowloon with a capacity of 6,664, where it established a long-term home ground and played its matches for the following twelve seasons. Mong Kok Stadium remained Kitchee's principal home venue from 2013 through the 2025 season, hosting the club's domestic league and cup fixtures. However, the club host most of their AFC Champions League home matches at the Hong Kong Stadium as it matches the specific requirements set by Asian Football Confederation standard of the tournament.

Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground

In 2026, Kitchee returned to Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground, marking the club's return to the venue for the first time since 2012. The move restored the stadium as Kitchee's home ground after thirteen seasons at Mong Kok Stadium. Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground has a seating capacity of approximately 3,500 spectators.

Location Stadium Capacity Year
Tseung Kwan O Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground 3,500 2010–2012, 2026–present
Mong Kok Mong Kok Stadium 6,664 2013–2025

Academy development

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In 2012, Kitchee Foundation submitted a successful proposal to The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for a youth football training centre. The club received over HK$44 million from the trust for the establishment of a training ground at Shek Mun, Shatin, New Territories. The Jockey Club Kitchee Centre, as it was later called, opened in 2014. The trust provided 90% of the funding, with the rest coming in part from the proceeds of a Kitchee vs Arsenal exhibition match where they drew 2–2.[22] Apart from serving as the training ground of Kitchee first team and Kitchee Academy, the centre also provides facilities for the Education Bureau-approved Professional Footballer Preparatory Programme, which Kitchee jointly offers with Yan Chai Hospital Tung Chi Ying Memorial Secondary School, in order to integrate football training into regular school curriculum and schedule. In October 2012, Arsenal donated HK$780,000 to Kitchee Foundation in support of the youth training centre.[23]

Since 2009, Kitchee has been a partner of the Chinese University of Hong Kong in its Injury Prevention and Performance Enhancement (IPPE) program.[24]

Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

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Period Kit manufacturer Kit sponsor
2003–2004Italy DiadoraHong Kong Xplore
2004–2008Japan Mizuno Japan Canon
2008–2013United States Nike
2013–2018Hong Kong Jockey Club Kitchee Centre
2018–presentHong Kong EDPS Systems Ltd.

Players

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First-team squad

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As of 21 July 2026 [25]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
2 DF  BRA Marcão
3 DF  ESP Roger Riera
5 MF  ESP Asier Illarramendi
6 DF  HKG Jay Haddow
7 MF  TKM Ruslan Mingazow (vice-captain)
8 MF  HKG Cheng Chin Lung
9 FW  ESP Adrián Revilla
10 MF  BRA Kendy
11 MF  JPN Yumemi Kanda
13 GK  CHN Enikar Mehmud
14 DF  HKG Kam Chi Kin
16 MF  HKG Tan Chun Lok (captain)
17 GK  HKG Pong Cheuk Hei
No. Pos. Nation Player
18 FW  HKG Everton Camargo
20 DF  HKG Dudu
21 FW  ESP Koldo Obieta
22 DF  HKG Callum Beattie
23 GK  HKG Tuscany Shek
27 MF  HKG Jordan Lam
30 FW  HKG Juninho
31 MF  HKG Yuen Chun Him
37 MF  HKG Chan Shing Chun
40 MF  HKG Li Siu Hin
41 DF  HKG Lam Pak Yin
42 FW  HKG Cheung Yiu Hin
47 DF  HKG Yu Ching Wai

Retired numbers

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
19 MF  HKG Huang Yang

Management and staff

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Club personnel

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Position Name
PresidentHong Kong Ken Ng
Executive directorHong Kong Ave Ip
Vice presidentHong Kong Jessica Ng
Technical director of academyHong Kong Jordi Tarrés
Customer service managerHong Kong Cheng Ching Yu

Coaching staff

[edit]
Position Name
Head coachSpain Iñigo Calderón
Assistant coachesHong Kong Fernando Recio
Hong Kong Yeung Ching Kwong
Goalkeeping coachHong Kong Guo Jianqiao
Strength and conditioning coachHong Kong Kobe Kou
Technical analystHong Kong Seb Buddle
Women team head coachHong Kong Paulinho
Women U18 youth team coach
Kitchee academy coachHong Kong Gao Wen
Club consultant doctorHong Kong Dr. Yung Shu Hang / Hong Kong Samuel Ling
Club consultant dietitianHong Kong Sylvia Lam

Basic information

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Item Name
Youth training system and football academyHong Kong The Kitchee Academy
Training groundHong Kong Jockey Club Kitchee Centre
Youth football training academyHong Kong Kitchee Academy powered by Spain DV7 Soccer Academy
Kitchee academy honorsThe first and only Hong Kong “Two-Star Elite Youth Academy"

AFC “Youth Academy of the Year (Boys) 2025”"

Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Sports Medicine Clinic@KitcheeThe Asian Football Confederation AFC Medical Centre/Clinic of Excellence
Football players diets and nutritional restaurantHong Kong The Kitchee Bistro
Systematic football & physical training program for young playersHong Kong Kitchee Top Talent Elite Project for "Hong Kong 2034"
Official fans clubThe Blue Wave
Official mascotKit Jai (A Little Blue Bird)
Official anthemWe Are Kitchee!
Home stadium for Hong Kong Premier LeagueHong Kong Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground
Home stadium for AFC Champions League TwoHong Kong --
Youth football training system consultantBelgium Double Pass Company
Training Techniques and Research Sharing PlatformQatar Aspire Academy’s"Aspire in the World Fellows"

Managerial history

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Manager Years Achievements
Hong Kong Chan Fai Hung 1992–1995
Taiwan Chan Hung Ping 2002–2003 2002–03 Hong Kong Second Division League
Hong Kong Cheng Siu Chung

Hong Kong Lam Hing Lun

2003–2005
Serbia Dejan Antonić 2005–2007 2005–06 Hong Kong League Cup

2005–06 Hong Kong Senior Shield

2006–07 Hong Kong League Cup

Hong Kong Chu Chi Kwong (caretaker) 2007–2008
Chile Julio César Moreno 2008–2009
Hong Kong Cheng Siu Chung (caretaker) (2) 2009
Spain Josep Gombau 2009–2013 2010–11 Hong Kong First Division League

2011–12 Hong Kong First Division League

2011–12 Hong Kong FA Cup

2011–12 Hong Kong League Cup

2012–13 Hong Kong FA Cup

Spain Àlex Gómez 2013
Hong Kong Chu Chi Kwong (caretaker) (2)

Hong Kong Cheng Siu Chung (caretaker) (3)

2013–2014 2013–14 Hong Kong First Division League
Hong Kong Premier League era (2014–present)
Spain José Francisco Molina 2014–2015 2014–15 Hong Kong Premier League

2014–15 Hong Kong FA Cup

2014–15 Hong Kong League Cup

Spain Abraham García 2015–2016
Hong Kong Chu Chi Kwong (4) 2016–2019 2015–16 Hong Kong League Cup

2016–17 Hong Kong Premier League

2016–17 Hong Kong FA Cup

2016–17 Hong Kong Senior Shield

2017–18 Hong Kong Premier League

2017–18 Hong Kong FA Cup

2017–18 Hong Kong Sapling Cup

2018–19 Hong Kong Senior Shield

2018–19 Hong Kong FA Cup

Bosnia and Herzegovina Blaž Slišković 2019–2020
Hong Kong Chu Chi Kwong (5) 2020–2021 2019–20 Hong Kong Premier League

2019–20 Hong Kong Sapling Cup

South Korea Kim Dong-jin (interim) 2021–2022
Hong Kong Chu Chi Kwong (6) 2022–2023 2022–23 Hong Kong Premier League

2022–23 Hong Kong FA Cup

2022–23 Hong Kong Senior Shield

South Korea Kim Dong-jin (interim) (2) 2023–2024 2023–24 Hong Kong Senior Shield

2023–24 Hong Kong Premier League Committee Cup

Portugal Edgar Cardoso 2024–2025
Spain Iñigo Calderón 2025–present

Honours

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Type Competition Titles Season
League Hong Kong Premier League[26] 7 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2022–23, 2025–26
Hong Kong First Division 6 1947–48, 1949–50, 1963–64, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14
Hong Kong Second Division[nb 1] 3 1950–51, 1991–92, 2002–03
Hong Kong Third Division 1 1997–98
Cup Hong Kong FA Cup 7 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2022–23
Hong Kong League Cup 5 2005–06, 2006–07, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16
Hong Kong Senior Shield 9 1949–50, 1953–54, 1959–60, 1963–64, 2005–06, 2016–17, 2018–19, 2022–23, 2023–24
Hong Kong Sapling Cup 2 2017–18, 2019–20
Hong Kong Premier League Committee Cup 1 2023–24
Hong Kong Junior Shield 2 1951–52, 1998–99
Hong Kong Community Cup 3 2009, 2017, 2018

Bold is for those competition that are currently active.

Season by season record

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Season League League Position Senior Shield FA Cup League Cup Season Play-offs Community Cup Asia Tournament Top scorer(s) and Goals Notes
1938–39 Third Division Did not enter Not held Not held Not held Not held Not held Promoted
1946–47 Second Division Promoted
1947–48 First Division Champion
1949–50 First Division Champion Champion Double Champions
1950–51 Second Division Champion Did not enter
1951–52 Second Division Junior Shield Champion
1953–54 First Division Champion
1959–60 First Division Champion
1963–64 First Division Champion Champion Double Champions
1964–65 First Division Relegated
1971–72 First Division Did not enter Relegated
1990–91 Third Division Did not enter Promoted
1991–92 Second Division Champion Promoted
1993–94 First Division Relegated
1995–96 Second Division Did not enter Relegated
1997–98 Third Division Champion Promoted
1998–99 Second Division Junior Shield Champion
1999–2000 First Division 8th Relegated
2002–03 Second Division Champion Did not enter Promoted
2003–04 First Division Runners-up Second round Runners-up Group stage
2004–05 3rd Semi-finals Semi-finals Group stage
2005–06 4th Champion 1st round Champion Saint Kitts and Nevis Keith Gumbs 15 Double Champions
2006–07 Runners-up Semi-finals Semi-finals Champion Saint Kitts and Nevis Keith Gumbs 13
2007–08 6th Runners-up Quarter-finals Runners-up 2008 AFC Cup Group stage North Macedonia Goran Stankovski 12
2008–09 Runners-up Quarter-finals Quarter-finals Semi-finals Did not enter Cameroon Paul Ngue 14
2009–10 3rd Runners-up 1st round Not held Champion Equatorial Guinea Baruc Nsue 7
2010–11 Champion Quarter-finals 1st round Semi-finals Not held 2010 Singapore Cup Quarter-finals Spain Jordi Tarrés 15 Double Champions
2011–12 Champion 1st round Champion Champion 2012 AFC Cup Round of 16 Spain Roberto Losada 13 Treble Champions
2012–13 Runners-up Quarter-finals Champion Not held Champion 2013 AFC Cup Quarter-finals Spain Jordi Tarrés 18 Double Champions
2013–14 Champion 1st round Runners-up Did not enter 2014 AFC Cup Semi-finals Spain Juan Belencoso 22

Premier League era

[edit]
Season Premier League Senior Shield FA Cup League Cup Sapling Cup Season Play-offs Community Cup HKPLC Cup Asia Tournament Top scorer(s) and Goals Notes
2014–15 Champion Runners-up Champion Champion Not held Did not enter Runners-up Not held 2015 AFC Champions League
2015 AFC Cup
Pre. round 2
Quarter-finals
Spain Juan Belencoso 34 Treble Champions
2015–16 Runners-up Semi-finals Quarter-finals Champion Group stage Champion Runners-up 2016 AFC Champions League
2016 AFC Cup
Pre. round 2
Round of 16
Spain Rufino Segovia 17 Double Champions
2016–17 Champion Champion Champion Defunct 1st round Did not enter Runners-up 2017 AFC Champions League Play-off round Hong Kong Sandro 25 Treble Champions
2017–18 Champion Semi-finals Champion Champion Defunct Champion 2018 AFC Champions League Group stage Brazil Lucas Silva
Hong Kong Sandro
16 Quadruple Champions
2018–19 4th Champion Champion Group
Stage
Champion 2019 AFC Cup East Asia Zone
Group stage
Brazil Fernando
Brazil Lucas Silva
17 Treble Champions
2019–20 Champion Quarter-finals Quarter-finals Champion Defunct Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic Brazil Wellingsson 14 Double Champions
2020–21 Champion Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic Semi-finals 2021 AFC Champions League Group stage Montenegro Dejan Damjanović 21
2021–22 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic 2022 AFC Champions League East Asia Quarter-finals 15
2022–23 Champion Champion Champion Group stage Not held 25 Treble Champions
2023–24 4th Champion Semi-finals Runners-up Champion 2023–24 AFC Champions League Group stage Brazil Mikael 26 Double Champions
2024–25 4th Semi-finals Quarter-finals Group stage Defunct Did not enter Uzbekistan Sherzod Temirov 15
2025–26 Champion Quarter-finals Quarter-finals Runners-up Defunct Spain Adrián Revilla 13
2026–27 2026–27 AFC Champions League Two

Continental record

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AFC competitions

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All results list Kitchee's goal tally first.

Win Draw Loss
Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate
2008 AFC Cup Group E Malaysia Perak 2–2 1–2 3rd
Maldives New Radiant 2–0 1–2
Singapore Singapore Armed Forces 0–2 0–4
2012 AFC Cup Group F Singapore Tampines Rovers 3–1 0–0 1st
Malaysia Terengganu 2–2 2–0
Vietnam Sông Lam Nghệ An 2–0 0–1
Round of 16 Indonesia Arema 0–2
2013 AFC Cup Group E India Churchill Brothers 3–0 4–0 2nd
Singapore Warriors 5–0 4–2
Indonesia Semen Padang 1–2 1–3
Round of 16 Malaysia Kelantan 2–0
Quarter-finals Jordan Al-Faisaly 1–2 1–2 2–4
2014 AFC Cup Group H Singapore Tampines Rovers 4–0 5–0 1st
Myanmar Nay Pyi Taw 2–0 2–1
India Pune 2–2 0–2
Round of 16 Indonesia Arema Cronus 2–0
Quarter-finals Vietnam Vissai Ninh Bình 0–1 4–2 4–3
Semi-finals Iraq Erbil 1–2 1–1[a] 2–3
2015 AFC Champions League Preliminary Round 2 Thailand Chonburi 1–4
2015 AFC Cup Group F Singapore Balestier Khalsa 3–0 2–1 2nd
India East Bengal 2–2 1–1
Malaysia Johor Darul Ta'zim 2–0 0–2
Round of 16 Indonesia Persib Bandung 2–0
Quarter-finals Kuwait Al-Kuwait 1–1 0–6 1–7
2016 AFC Champions League Preliminary Round 2 Vietnam Hanoi FC 0–1
2016 AFC Cup Group F Philippines Kaya FC 1–0 1–0 1st
Maldives New Radiant 0–0 2–0
Singapore Balestier Khalsa 4–0 0–1
Round of 16 India Bengaluru FC 2–3
2017 AFC Champions League Preliminary Round 2 Vietnam Hanoi FC 3–2 (aet)
Play-off Round South Korea Ulsan Hyundai 1–1 (3–4 p)
2018 AFC Champions League Group E Japan Kashiwa Reysol 1–0 0–1 4th
South Korea Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 0–6 0–3
China Tianjin Quanjin 0–1 0–3
2019 AFC Champions League Preliminary Round 2 Malaysia Perak 1–1 (5–6 p)
2019 AFC Cup East Asia Zone Group I North Korea April 25 1–0 0–2 2nd
Chinese Taipei Hang Yuen 3–0 2–1
Hong Kong Tai Po 2–4 3–3
2020 AFC Cup East Asia Zone Group I Chinese Taipei Tatung FC Cancelled
due to
COVID-19
pandemic
Macau MUST CPK
Chinese Taipei/Mongolia Winners of Play-off East Asia
2021 AFC Champions League Group J China Guangzhou FC 1–0[a] 1–0[a] 2nd
Thailand Port FC 2–0[a] 1–1[a]
Japan Cerezo Osaka 0–0[a] 1–2[a]
2022 AFC Champions League Group J Thailand Chiangrai United 1–0[a] 3–2[a] 2nd
Japan Vissel Kobe 2–2[a] 1–2[a]
Round of 16 Thailand BG Pathum United 0–4
2023–24 AFC Champions League Group F Singapore Lion City Sailors 1–2 2–0 4th
Thailand Bangkok United 1–2 1–1
South Korea Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 1–2 1–2
2026–27 AFC Champions League Two Group Stage - --
-
-
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Played at a neutral venue.

Asia Football Clubs Ranking

[edit]
Asia Football
Clubs Ranking
Team Name Total Points One year change Club Ranking
History Chart
Reference Notes
180Kitchee SC1290+0 points[27][28]Updated on 1 July 2025

Friendlies and invitational tournaments

[edit]

All results list Kitchee's goal tally first.

Win Draw Loss
Season Competition Round Club First leg Second leg Aggregate
2004 Friendly Italy AC Milan 2–1
2004 Friendly England Newcastle United 1–1 (6–7 penalties)
2005 Hong Kong–Shanghai Cup Friendly China Shanghai Shenhua 0–1
2005 Friendly Italy Juventus 2–2 (5–3 penalties)
2010 Lunar New Year Cup Friendly South Korea Pohang Steelers 1–1
2010 Friendly Spain Villarreal B 1–2
2010 Friendly Spain Barcelona B 3–3
2010 Friendly Spain Espanyol B 0–5
2010 Friendly Spain CF Amposta 1–1
2010 Singapore Cup Preliminary Round China Beijing Guoan Talent 2–1 (aet)
Quarter-finals France Etoile FC 4–4 0–2 4–6
2010 Canon Cup Friendly Spain Villarreal 0–3
2011 Premier League Asia Trophy Semi-finals England Chelsea 0–4
Third-place playoff England Blackburn Rovers 0–3
2012 Hong Kong–Shanghai Inter Club Championship Friendly China Shanghai Tellace 0–4 2–3 2–7
2012 The HKJC Charity Trust Challenge Cup Friendly England Arsenal 2–2
2012 Friendly Spain Gimnàstic de Tarragona 0–1
2012 Friendly Spain Villarreal B 2–0
2013 Friendly England Manchester United 2–5
2014 Hong Kong–Shanghai Inter Club Championship Friendly China Shanghai SIPG 1–6 0–0 1–6
2014 Meeting Of CHAMPIONS Friendly France Paris Saint-Germain 2–6
2017 Lunar New Year Cup Semi-finals Thailand Muangthong United 1–1 (5–4 penalties)
Final New Zealand Auckland City 0–1
2017 Jockey Club Kitchee Centre Challenge Cup Friendly England Tottenham Hotspur 1–4
2019 HKJC Kitchee Centre Cup Friendly England Manchester City 1–6
2024 BOC Life Cup Friendly Spain Atlético Madrid 1–6

Footnotes

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  1. Upon its formation in 2014, Hong Kong Premier League became the top tier of Hong Kong football; the First and Second Divisions then became the second and third tiers, respectively.

References

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  1. Chow, Ka Kin (28 August 2015). 濁世消磨──日治時期香港人的休閒生活. Chung Hwa Book Co.(HK) Ltd. p. 11. ISBN 9789888340507.
  2. "傑志歷史". Kitchee Football Team. Archived from the original on 23 November 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2017. (in Chinese)
  3. "War in China". Time. 6 March 1939. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  4. "傑志歷史". Kitchee Football Team. Archived from the original on 23 November 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2017. (in Chinese)
  5. "'Treasure of Hong Kong Football' Yiu dies". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  6. Lo, Clifford; Chow, Vivienne. "City mourns Spencer Lam, the soccer hero turned commentator famous for his dry wit". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 23 September 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2009.
  7. "企業新聞及活動 - [佳能香港有限公司]". www.canon.com.hk. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  8. "英超亞洲錦標賽布力般流浪3比0挫傑志奪季軍". Yahoo News (in Chinese). 30 July 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  9. Kitchee set for Singapore Cup RTHK news 30 April 2010 Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  10. Zuser, Tobias (21 May 2015). "FA Cup glory: Kitchee make the treble perfect – offside.hk". Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  11. "Kitchee edge South China in FA Cup Final to clinch treble". Football Tribe. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  12. 體路 (17 May 2017). "【足球明星選舉】「四料」香港足球先生費蘭度:「人生最美好的一日!」". 體路 Sportsroad. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  13. "Kitchee fall to Ulsan in AFC Champions League penalty shoot-out". South China Morning Post. 7 February 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  14. "Forlan joins Kitchee to lead AFC Champions League charge". South China Morning Post. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  15. simon (15 March 2018). "Kitchee Claim First Ever ACL Win | bc magazine". www.bcmagazine.net. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  16. Yeung, Patrick Au (28 May 2018). "Kitchee win treble after 2-1 victory over Tai Po in FA Cup Final – offside.hk". Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  17. "Dejan Damjanovic signs for Hong Kong's Kitchee SC". the-AFC. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  18. "Kitchee crown themselves champions once again". chinadailyhk. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  19. Yuen, Chi Ho. "傑志被看淡下成績遠超預期 唐建文勉團結:放棄就玩完". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  20. "巴爾拿補時建奇功 傑志逼和神戶歷史性晉級十六強". Sportsroad (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  21. "Kitchee thrash BC Rangers in Hong Kong FA Cup final to complete treble". South China Morning Post. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  22. "ARSENAL MATCH TO CELEBRATE ESTABLISHMENT OF JOCKEY CLUB KITCHEE CENTRE". Hong Kong Jockey Club. 5 July 2012. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  23. Chan Kin Wa (17 October 2012). "Arsenal: 'We've promised fans a China rematch'". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  24. Injury prevention and performance enhancement intervention in soccer Archived 28 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine Sports Performance and Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong
  25. "Kitchee | Kitchee Sports Club". www.kitchee.com. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  26. Upon its formation in 2014, Hong Kong Premier League became the top tier of Hong Kong football; the First and Second Divisions then became the second and third tiers, respectively.
  27. "Kitchee SC Club Ranking History Chart". Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  28. "Asia Football / Soccer Clubs Ranking". Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
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