Kitchee SC celebrated the opening of their new home ground, the Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground, in spectacular fashion with a dominant 4-2 victory over defending champions Tai Po. The win on Sunday, January 25, 2026, not only marked a successful christening of their new stadium but also solidified Kitchee's position at the top of the Hong Kong Premier League, extending their lead to a significant nine points.

Under the guidance of head coach Inigo Calderon, Kitchee displayed a potent attacking force in the first half, storming to a 4-0 lead. However, the champions Tai Po showed resilience in the second half, managing to pull back two goals, which left Calderon with mixed feelings despite the victory. Calderon expressed a degree of dissatisfaction, stating that his team lost control despite leading by a large margin at half-time.

The match started at 7:00 UTC and was held at the Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground, which has a capacity of 5,000. Prior to the game, Kitchee was ranked 1st in the league, while Tai Po held the 4th position. Recent form favored Kitchee, who had won their last five matches in the Hong Kong Premier League. Tai Po, in contrast, had shown mixed form.

Historically, Kitchee has dominated encounters against Tai Po, with 18 wins in their past 38 meetings. Before this match, Kitchee had 9 wins, 2 draws, and 0 losses in the overall season. Tai Po had 5 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses.

This victory further cements Kitchee's status as a title contender and highlights their effective performance this season. The team with the most titles in the Hong Kong Premier League is Kitchee SC. While Tai Po is the current titleholder in Hong Kong Premier League, they are facing challenges this season.

The average number of goals scored in the Hong Kong Premier League this season is 3.61. This match contributed to that average, showcasing the attacking talent present in the league. The Hong Kong Premier League typically runs from August to May, with teams placed in 3 groups. The top team qualifies for the Champions League Qualification, and an additional team qualifies for the AFC Cup tournament.

Kitchee's next challenge will be maintaining their form and capitalizing on their strong start as they aim to reclaim the Hong Kong Premier League title. Tai Po, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find consistency if they hope to defend their title.