The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

AFC Champions League Two: Eastern to rest players v Sydney with Senior Shield semi looming

Eastern face the Australian club on Thursday night before facing BC Rangers in the Senior Shield semi-final on Sunday

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Eastern head coach Roberto Losada chats with Sydney FC’s former Bayern Munich forward Douglas Costa after the sides’ meeting in September. Photo: AFP

Paul McNamara

Published: 1:30pm, 27 Nov 2024Updated: 6:59pm, 27 Nov 2024

Eastern boss Roberto Losada said the club’s “super minimal” chances of qualification means the AFC Champions League Two has fallen behind the Hong Kong Senior Shield in priority for the season.

Thursday sees Sydney FC visit Mong Kok Stadium, with the reverse fixture ending in a 5-0 rout for the Australian side, before a more winnable Senior Shield semi-final against BC Rangers three days later.

To reach the last 16, Eastern need to beat Sydney as well as group leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima and hope the Australian side lose to bottom-of-the-group Kaya FC.

“My mind is in the semi-final more than the Champions League,” Losada said. “Sydney is going to be such a tough game.

“They are in better condition than when we last played … they will come with everything. We cannot use everything.

Dani Almazan (left) tussles with forward Patryk Klimala during Eastern’s 5-0 loss in Sydney. Photo: EPA-EFE

“I don’t think I will play my strongest team, but I will try to keep a balance. The expectation for Thursday is not big, and it is important to try to go to the Senior Shield final.”