Hong Kong loses out 1-4 to Inter Miami, Messi not playing

The exhibition match ended with a 4-1 victory for Inter Miami against the Hong Kong team, but the stadium was covered in a sea of boos as football stars Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez did not play the match.

The game started with a high tempo pressing from both sides. Despite Inter Miami's dominant possession rate, the Hong Kong team was able to match their shot attempts with similar shots on target for the first 25 minutes.

The local team's first attempt came in a free kick that was saved by the crossbar, denying Mikael Severo a chance to show off in front of Miami's owner David Beckham.

Miami challenged the Hong Kong defense multiple times but could not open the score as they either skied the shots or hit the post.

The first goal came from Miami's left winger, Robert Taylor, who curled the ball past keeper Yapp Hung-fai into the net.

The hosts were able to answer back in the dying embers of the first half, with Henri Anier finding the back of the net, which led to thunderous roars from the audience in the Hong Kong Stadium.

The first half ended with one goal apiece for the two teams.

The game featured a special rule allowing the teams to swap as many players as possible. Hong Kong team coach Jorn Andersen made 10 substitutions before the second half started, replacing the whole squad except for left-back Li Ngai-hoi.

Miami doubled their goal tally five minutes into the second half, with midfielder Lawson Sunderland finding the net, followed by their striker Leonardo Campana scoring another in the 56 minutes.

Messi's former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba came onto the pitch in the 61 minutes to thunderous applause from the local crowd.

Miami continued their assault on Hong Kong, with Ryan Sailor heading the ball in from a right corner by Taylor to inflate the lead to three goals for the guests.

The game ended with a 4-1 victory for Inter Miami, but the stadium was covered in a sea of boos as Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi did not see the pitch.

(Neo Tsim & Prashan Limbu)

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