Chinese New Year Cup a hit with fans, as faded stars shine once more at Hong Kong Stadium
World Legends beat Hong Kong Legends on penalties, as healthy crowd turns out for Hong Kong Stadium’s final Chinese New Year Cup
It is a good job those clamouring to watch a host of football heroes and Brazilian World Cup winners in the FWD Insurance Chinese New Year Cup had not paid to see them run about.
Eden Hazard, Rivaldo, Paul Scholes and former AC Milan playmaker Kaka all showed zero appetite for racing back to aid overworked defenders, as a World Legends XI beat Hong Kong Legends on penalties following a 3-3 draw over 90 minutes.
What prices would those aforementioned players, at the peak of their powers, command in today’s bonkers transfer market? Gone is the zip and skill that set them apart, but more than 20,000 paid between HK$380 and HK$1,280 to see what they could still do.
Supporter Jack Cheng, who bowed to the temptation of top-dollar tickets, said he “preferred watching current stars, instead of the retired ones”. “They can still run and compete instead of just standing around,” Cheng added.
The attacker-heavy World Legends fielded Ryan Giggs at left-back in a show of their desire to entertain. The trim David Silva is still a wizard on the ball, and the sweet left foot of Rivaldo retains some of its magic.
The Galcacticos were given the run around for long periods, however, before professional pride and superior fitness prompted a recovery from 3-1 down.
