(File photo)
(File photo)
(File photo)
(File photo)
The Kai Tak Sports Park erupted with excitement on Saturday afternoon as Steven Gerrard’s Liverpool legends secured a 4:2 victory over Rio Ferdinand’s Manchester United legends in the “RED on RED: Gerrard 11 vs Rio 11” invitational match, drawing a passionate crowd and highlighting the venue’s growing role in Hong Kong’s football scene.
The Liverpool squad, captained by former star Steven Gerrard, included notable names like Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen and powerful left-footed defender Jamie Carragher.
Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand led the Manchester United side, which boasted Premier League top scorer Dimitar Berbatov, academy graduate and England international Wes Brown, and Ferdinand’s longtime defensive partner, captain Nemanja Vidić.
The match ended with a thrilling 4:2 victory for Gerrard’s team, delighting fans who filled the stands.
By 4pm, the stadium was already buzzing with fans, many decked out in red jerseys, who erupted in cheers as their football idols took the field.
The excitement was palpable, with some spectators noting that they had skipped a previous Liverpool training session at Hong Kong Stadium due to uncomfortably hot conditions but made it a point to attend this match at the modern, more comfortable Kai Tak venue.
Fans expressed hope that the sports park would host more high-profile events, citing its potential to boost the local economy.
The match drew a diverse crowd, including multi-generational families, with some attendees marveling at the world-class facilities of the new stadium.
The event also highlighted a growing trend in Hong Kong’s football scene, with a Liverpool fan noting a significant increase in female fans—estimated to be three to four times more than in the past—at recent matches held at Kai Tak.
This surge in interest underscored the venue’s role in expanding the city’s football fanbase, and the supporter was elated to see that there were more fans cheering passionately for their teams, particularly rallying behind The Reds.
(Updated at 8.39pm)
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