AFC Champions League: Kitchee need a result to keep attracting ...

Kim Dong-jin said Kitchee’s reputation would be at stake when they resume their faltering AFC Champions League campaign at Bangkok United on Wednesday.

Interim head coach Kim has overseen a measured improvement since his appointment in September, and he insisted his team had rediscovered their enjoyment of the game following a 7-0 Senior Shield thrashing of RCFC on Saturday.

While Kitchee are coming to the boil domestically, they remain pointless after three matches in the continental competition. There were reasons for optimism after the 2-1 home defeat by Bangkok a fortnight ago, however, when Kitchee scored first and were unfortunate to lose after a late assault on their opponents’ goal.

But Kim admitted positive results were the only worthwhile currency in the bid to gain respect across Asia.

And the South Korean said there was a direct correlation between a strong Champions League showing and the club’s ability to attract top talent.

“We need to get points in the second round of group matches to show we are strong,” Kim said.

“Last season, we showed everyone in Asia we could compete. Previously, Kitchee were strong only in our league, but we reached the round of 16 and, suddenly, people outside Hong Kong were looking at us and wanting to know more about the club.

“It is important to show our style at the highest level. If we get good results in this competition, quality players are looking at us as an option.”

Kim also said Ogenyi Onazi remained part of his plans after rumours surfaced claiming the out-of-favour midfielder would move to Italy.

The Nigerian has been exiled since he was singled out by supporters for fierce criticism following Kitchee’s dismal Champions League performance against Lion City Sailors on October 4.

The former Lazio player, one of the club’s major summer captures, was withdrawn at half-time of that game, after coming under fire for his display when Kitchee were thumped by title rivals Lee Man back in September.

Onazi posted on social media to reject the report over a potential move back to Italy.

“His attitude is OK, it is a complicated situation,” Kim said when asked about the player’s commitment and position at the club. “I do not know what will happen in future, but now, he is training with us, working hard and trying to get one of the six foreigner spots in the squad.”

Kim admitted having 10 foreign players on the books was “difficult”, given four are left on the bench on match days. He rested Igor Sartori, the nimble Brazilian forward, at the weekend, while North Macedonian centre-half Aleksandar Damcevski – who joined during a summer recruitment drive that was heavily criticised as being scattergun – has been sidelined for seven weeks with a knee injury.

Another recruit, forward Jakob Jantscher, was on target against RCFC as Kitchee set up a highly anticipated Senior Shield semi-final with Lee Man on Saturday.

South Korean striker Kim Shin-wook scored two fabulous headed goals after returning as a substitute following long-term hamstring issues.

“Wooky returning is positive for our attacking and gives us more options,” Kim said. “I am expecting more goals from him. He is an option to play in Bangkok, maybe with Jakob.

“We are playing more with the ball than without the ball, and I think the players are enjoying their football again.”