CHINA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Manchester United arrive in Macau to play in the Venetian Macao Cup

Record ID: 335996

  • Title: CHINA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Manchester United arrive in Macau to play in the Venetian Macao Cup
  • Date: 22nd July 2007
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) HENRY HANG, SOCCER FAN, SAYING: "Macau only has about 100 or 200 football fans, but the team is still leaving from the special tunnel. We are unhappy about this arrangement. We can not accept this. The host can make some rules or the police can have more strict control, but they can not arrange like this. We feel very unhappy."
  • Embargoed: 6th August 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAAWTQC7IOC1PKRGED6J6O1IGKI
  • Story Text: England's most popular football club Manchester United has arrived Macau on Saturday (July 21) after playing in Japan and Korea.
    Manchester United arrived in Macau on Saturday (July 21) to play against the Shenzhen Xianxue Eisiti in the Venetian Macao Cup as part of their Asian tour.
    The visit to the city was welcomed by soccer fans such as Rui Machado, who was overwhelmed by English premiership champions visit.
    "It is so exciting. The opportunity for Manchester United to come is very rare. Macau is such a small city that we do not think we would ever have the chance to meet them." said Machado.
    About 100 fans of the Red Devils were waiting at Macau Airport carrying banners and welcome posters hoping to see their heroes, but were frustrated when police kept them far away from the team.
    "Macau only has about 100 or 200 football fans, but the team is still leaving from the special tunnel. We are unhappy about this arrangement. We can not accept this. The host can make some rules or the police can have more strict control, but they can not arrange like this. We feel very unhappy." said one of the waiting fans Henry Hang.
    At a press conference later in the day, manager Alex Ferguson spoke about former Manchester United player David Beckham's move to play Major League Soccer (MLS) in the U.S., where Beckham was due to make his debut for the L.A.Galaxy against English side Chelsea on Saturday but may not play due to an ankle injury.
    "David Beckham is going to a new team soon, I think everyone needs to wish him well, it is a big step forward for him because American football is not European football. It has a long way to go to match European football. And that's a big challenge," said Ferguson.
    Portuguese player Cristiano Ronaldo, who was outstanding in United's title run last season, said he is in great shape and aims to play even better in the coming season.
    "I think every season I try to do my best, training hard, and than last season I played good, I offered a lot to the team. I have to do well this season, I feed very good, I feel fit, and I look forward to the season. I hope to win the league again, I hope to score many goals," said Ronaldo.
    Organizers said tickets for the Venetian Macao Cup were sold out in five hours.
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