ACL Two: Kuching City Denied First Win as Kitchee Fight Back for 1-1 Draw

Cats go ahead through an early own goal, but Camargo levels and Group H’s winless hosts stay on one point

Kuching City missed out on their first win of the AFC Champions League Two 2026/27 campaign, drawing 1-1 with Hong Kong’s Kitchee SC in Group H at Taha Ariffin Stadium, Kuching.

Head coach Aidil Sharin Sahak went with his strongest side, partnering Ajdin Mujagic and Jerome Etame in attack. Kitchee were led from midfield by former Real Madrid player Asier Illarramendi.

The Cats struck in the second minute. A goalkeeping error from Kitchee, who failed to control a pass from a teammate, let the ball roll into their own net for a 1-0 lead.

Kitchee responded by pushing forward and got their reward in the 14th minute. Everton Camargo hit a fierce left-footed shot that goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli could not stop, making it 1-1.

The match opened up after that, with both sides attacking. Mujagic had chances to put the hosts back in front, but he was caught offside on one occasion, and his final effort lacked accuracy. The score stayed 1-1 at half-time.

Kuching came close again in the 49th minute. Namibia international Petrus Shitembi had a close-range effort, but Kitchee goalkeeper Pong Cheuk Hai denied him. Mujagic’s header in the 69th minute went just wide of the left post. Both sides pushed for a winner, but neither could find one, and they shared a point.

Kuching, who lost 2-1 to Phnom Penh Crown in their opener on 17 September, now have one point from two matches. Kitchee, who drew 1-1 with Gangwon on matchday one, are on two points. Phnom Penh Crown lead Group H with six points after beating Gangwon 2-1 on Thursday.

Kuching will travel to South Korea to face Gangwon on 29 October, the same day Kitchee hosts Phnom Penh Crown.

Credit Photo : AFC