Camargo runs rampant as Lee Man put defending champions Kitchee to the sword

Lee Man outplayed and outfought Kitchee to underline their Hong Kong Premier League title credentials and leave the visiting players to incur the wrath of their furious supporters.

The new darling of the Hong Kong national team, Everton Camargo, was the architect of the champions’ downfall, creating one goal and scoring another after having an early penalty saved by Paulo Cesar.

Lee Man’s opening two strikes, from Henri Anier and Camargo, came either side of a Juninho equaliser at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground.

But Kitchee, whose head coach Alex Chu Chi-kwong said he had no regrets over resting players ahead of Wednesday’s AFC Champions League fixture against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, never recovered from a sluggish start.

Anier, who profited from Camargo’s creativity for the opener, scored a VAR-awarded penalty six minutes after half-time. And the home dugout emptied in jubilation when substitute Paulo Simionato administered the final rights deep stoppage time.

Lee Man head coach Tsang Chiu-tat admitted his dressing room was lifted when the Kitchee teamsheet arrived, with Mikael Severo, Charlie Scott, Kim Shin-wook and Ruslan Mingazov – who Chu said sustained a knock playing for Turkmenistan last week – all missing.

Striker Anier capitalised on the changes despite arriving home from international duty with Estonia at 7am on Thursday.

“Honestly, I wasn’t going to play him, but he came back in good condition and after we spoke, I decided he could start,” Tsang said.

“The scoreline is a surprise, but it is reward for the players’ efforts – and very meaningful for me after last season [when Kitchee pipped Lee Man to top spot on the final day]. We are back to show we are coming for the title.

“Seeing the Kitchee team was a boost … we expect it to be tougher when we next play them.”

Lee Man ran all over Kitchee from the start, although visiting goalkeeper Cesar atoned for hauling down Camargo by saving the resulting penalty.

But the irrepressible Camargo was soon bursting past statuesque centre-back Alexandre Damcevski, and squaring for Anier to finish into an empty net. Juninho converted a low cross from Kitchee’s lively debutant Jakob Jantscher after 42 minutes.

But only two minutes later, Camargo strode onto a return pass from Givanilton Martins to blast a trademark effort into the top corner.

Anier netted from the spot following Ogenyi Onazi’s clumsy challenge on Tsui Wang-kit – and after VAR overruled an offside call against the dashing right-back.

“VAR is a big step for Hong Kong football – and I hope the quality can keep improving,” said Tsang.

There was plenty of that commodity visible in a breathless game, not least when Simionato drew Cesar, before lifting home a delicate finish.

Lee Man celebrated wildly, while at full-time, Kitchee captain Helio Goncalves led his players over for a verbal dressing down from fans.

“We made big mistakes, with VAR, you must be clever in defence,” said Chu, who was unable to provide any information on the condition of striker Igor Sartori, who was taken off on a stretcher.

“I don’t regret the changes, let’s see how we play in the coming game. We have quality players and we will learn about their characters after this disappointment.”