Four years after arriving in Hong Kong planning to stay for a season, Ruslan Mingazov is on the cusp of what could be one of the most memorable weeks of his decorated career.
A title winner in the Czech Republic and Latvia, with Slavia Prague and Skonto Riga respectively, Kitchee forward Mingazov is expecting a “big battle and beautiful football” when his side take on Lee Man in the League Cup final on Tuesday.
With the Mong Kok ground on the line, Kitchee’s win over BC Rangers on Sunday will complete the club’s 13th league title with four games to go.
“It’s a long season and whenever you get three points you don’t think it’s over, but now everything is getting closer,” said Mingazov, who won a treble with Kitchee in his first full campaign after signing from Kazakhstan Premier League club Kaspiy Aktau in March 2022.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Kamil, as an international player for Turkmenistan, Mingazov heeded the advice of his wife, Aya, after Kitchee held talks.
“When I talked to him about it, he told me my mood was changing, I was happy and smiling, and he said I need to try,” Mingazov said.
