AFC Champions League 2: Hong Kong side Lee Man unconcerned over head coach’s absence
Hong Kong champions tackle Nam Dinh of Vietnam in ACL 2 opener, while domestic rivals Eastern begin continental campaign at Sydney FC
Lee Man assistant coach Szeto Man-chun said his team’s assault on this season’s inaugural AFC Champions League Two would not be compromised by an enforced reshuffle in the dugout.
Tsang Chiu-tat, the head coach who guided Lee Man to last year’s Hong Kong Premier League title, does not have the necessary qualifications to coach in the competition.
Without his AFC Professional Coaching Diploma, Tsang will be relegated to the margins when Lee Man begin their group campaign against Nam Dinh, from Vietnam, at Mong Kok Stadium on Wednesday.
This is the second successive year Lee Man, who are also grouped with Singapore side Tampines Rovers, and Bangkok United, must enter continental battle with Tsang’s deputy running the show.
Former HKU23 boss Szeto joined the club this summer, after former assistant boss Jordi Tarres switched to Kitchee.
“The roles changing doesn’t matter, with our preparation and coaching style, we stick together,” Szeto said. “We follow the same directions, we have a lot of communication and we know about the philosophy, playing style and execution.”
