Kitchee scored an injury-time equaliser to become the first Hong Kong team ever to reach the AFC Champions League knock-out round on Sunday after a 2-2 draw with Vissel Kobe.

Kitchee needed at least a point against the big-spending Japanese side to progress, but their chances looked slim when Yoshinori Muto scored in the 87th minute to put Vissel ahead in Buriram, Thailand.

Raul Baena saved the day with a header in the 91st minute to snatch a point for Kitchee and send them into the knock-out round as one of the competition's best second-placed teams.

Vissel, who were missing former Barcelona star Andres Iniesta and were already guaranteed a place in the round of 16, went through as Group J winners.

Brazilian striker Lincoln gave Vissel the lead with a penalty in the 44th minute, only for Kitchee to hit back before half-time with a spot-kick of their own from Dejan Damjanovic. (AFP)
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Last updated: 2022-05-1 HKT 22:15