February 14, 2024
HONG KONG – World football legends including David James, Francesco Totti, and Ballon d’Or winner Rivaldo will play at Hong Kong Stadium on Tuesday afternoon for the Chinese New Year Cup.
An iconic tradition in Hong Kong’s football heritage for over 110 years, the Chinese New Year Cup is marking a festive return to Hong Kong after years of hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event on the fourth day of the Chinese New Year is sponsored by FWD Insurance and co-organized by The Football Association of Hong Kong, China.
Local football names will also play with world-class stars Julio Cesar, Carles Puyol, Mikaël Silvestre, Marco Materazzi, Sami Hyypiä, Ricardo Carvalho, Tiago Mendes, Wesley Sneijder, Juan Veron, Gaizka Mendieta, Fernando Morientes who have taken part in the Chinese New Year Cup matches before.
According to the organizers, apart from Rivaldo, Italian “Golden Boy” Alessandro Del Piero, four-time La Liga top scorer David Villa and French star Robert Pires are expected to join the squad as well.
The stars interacted with young local football players in warm-up sessions on Feb 12.
The Hong Kong will include Fan Chun-yip, Yapp Hung-fai, Man Pei-tak, Tong Kin-man, Chan Wai-ho, Lee Wai-man, Cristiano Preigchadt Cordeiro, Leslie George Santos, Lee Kin-wo, Leung Chun-pong, Lee Hong-lim, Chan Chi-hong, Chu Siu-kei, Chan Siu-ki, Au Wai-lun, Christian Kwesi Annan, Au Yeung Yiu-chung, Kwok Kar Lok Kenneth, and So Wai Chuen Kumer, the organizers said.
The match will formally kick off at 5:00 pm. A number of tickets have been distributed to grassroots families and fans.