Second AFC Champions League: ‘very difficult’ for Lee Man to progress after victory in Bangkok

Coach Szeto Man-chun said Lee Man found himself in a “very difficult situation” in the second tier of the AFC Champions League after a brilliant goal by Bangkok United striker Bassel Jradi condemned the Hong Kong champions to a 1-0 defeat at Mong Kok Stadium on Thursday.

Concerns about the low attendance at the 6:00 p.m. kickoff turned out to be justified – only 892 fans showed up for the match.

Asian football bosses have overhauled the club competition this season, but the new second division tournament is not generating early interest. Lee Man’s three matches and all defeats were watched by a total of 3,922 viewers, or an average of 1,307 per match.

The brave home fans who showed up at the stadium supported their team until the very end with constant singing and drumming, and Szeto said his players “fully felt the passion of the fans.”

Lee Man returned the favor with his best performance in the competition this season in a match riddled with incidents. It ended with an angry Jradi being tunnelled by Bangkok authorities after confronting defender Lee Mana Dudu after the final whistle.

Jradi motioned for Dudu to follow him to the locker room, after which referee Ismaeel Habib Ali asked him to return to the pitch to allow him to receive a yellow card.