Local football fans are getting ready to welcome two-time world champions Argentina to the Hong Kong Stadium tonight in an exhibition match to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA).
Despite the game being the biggest to take place on Hong Kong soil since the HKFA marked its 90th anniversary with a 7-1 defeat to then-World Cup holders Brazil in February 2005, not all the tickets have been snapped up for the 40,000-capacity stadium, with much of the focus in Hong Kong still on the pro-democracy protests.
The HKFA is rumoured to have paid a record HKD30m to lure Lionel Messi and co to Hong Kong, and they will be hoping their side manages to pull off a better result than when they last hosted South American opposition – a 7-0 reverse against Paraguay in November 2010.
But even though the match has failed to draw as much attention as the HKFA might have hoped for, chief executive Mark Sutcliffe revealed that ticket sales are picking up as kickoff approaches, insisting that the association would not make a loss as the centenary celebration is being underwritten by the directors. “It’s going to be a great night and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see some of the world’s best footballers,” Sutcliffe told the SCMP, adding that it was normal in Hong Kong for fans to purchase tickets on the day of a match.
Argentina, currently second in the FIFA rankings, arrived at Hong Kong Airport on Sunday night, a day after two goals from striker Diego Tardelli gave bitter rivals Brazil a 2-0 victory in the “Superclasico” friendly at a smog-filled Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing.
Star man Lionel Messi missed a first-half penalty for the World Cup runners-up against Brazil, prompting Hong Kong goalkeeper Yapp Hung-Fai to tell the National that he believes he would have every chance of saving a spot-kick from the three-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner, should the opportunity arise tonight. “I am very confident I could save a Messi penalty because I saw him miss against Brazil,” said 24-year-old Yapp, who will win his 32nd cap against Argentina if selected.
Argentina coach Gerardo Martino has confirmed that the Barcelona player will get some game time on Tuesday, but hinted at making numerous changes from his starting line-up, stating that every member of his squad who travelled on the lucrative two-game Asia tour will get a run out.
“Everyone can see the difference between Hong Kong and Brazil,” said Martino, who added that his main focus is on next year’s Copa America in Chile and the qualifying matches for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. “My plan is to let all the guys I’ve called up play. And I want the team to play as well as in the first 30 minutes against Brazil.”
Hong Kong are currently 164th in the FIFA rankings, and few expect them to take anything from a side that boasts the talents of Manchester City star Sergio Aguero, Manchester United new boy Angel Di Maria and Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain, among others.
But Kim Pan-Gon’s team will head into the game high in confidence after goals from Xu Deshuai and Ju Yingzhi helped secure a 2-1 friendly victory against Singapore at the Mong Kok Stadium on Saturday.
“Our players have gained some confidence from the Singapore match,” said Kim ahead of the game against La Albiceleste. “We will not just defend when we play Argentina. If we have opportunities, we will try to beat them.”
Go HK!
Words: Peter Alsop
