Party with the legends

Over 20,000 football fans joyously enjoyed a 10-goal Lunar New Year Cup between the World Legends and Hong Kong Legends at Hong Kong Stadium.

It was less of a match and more of a party between the two teams as World Legends beat the home team 7-3.

Names on the score sheet included "Prince of Roma" Francesco Totti, "The Kid" David Villa, former Spain midfielder Gaizka Mendieta and Brazilian icon Rivaldo, who curled in a worldie past Fan Chun-yip from the edge of the box just before half-time.

Arsenal legend Robert Pires scored in the second half, while for the home team Eastern captain Leung Chun-pong, winger Lee Hong-lim and Ghanaian-born former Hong Kong striker Christian Anan found the net.

Fans cheered at the top of their lungs whenever their idols touched the ball and when both teams took a shot at goal. A fan held up a banner with the words: "Who needs Messi?," referring to superstar Lionel Messi, who sat out Inter Miami's exhibition match at the same stadium 10 days ago citing injury.

After all 17 World Legends players had seen action, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu wore a huge smile on his face. Apart from shaking hands with every player, he hugged former England goalkeeper David James during the trophy presentation.

Lee was accompanied by Deputy Chief Secretary of Administration Warner Cheuk Wing-hing and Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung.

Former Liverpool center-back Sami Hyypia said the atmosphere for the game was great.

"This is not the first time for me to play in Hong Kong. Every time the atmosphere was great. Fans were enthusiastic and I enjoyed the match so much," Hyypia said.

When asked whether he had any words for Hong Kong football fans, Hyypia showed off his Cantonese skills by giving a traditional Lunar New Year greeting.

"Kung hei fat choi! Hope everyone enjoyed the match," he said.

Pires said he enjoyed playing in Hong Kong, adding that he was happy that "there are many Hongkongers who like me."

Lee Hong-lim said it was a very rare opportunity to be playing on the same field with the World Legends players.

Hong Kong's iconic striker Chan Siu-ki said he was not disappointed after failing to score a goal. "This is a very rare opportunity to play with the world legends. Also this is the Lunar New Year Cup, happiness is the first priority," Chan said. "Wishing Hongkongers a healthy and successful year to come, I also hope Hong Kong's football will get better and better."

Some in the audience were victims of Messi's exhibition match on February 4, but the tickets for the Lunar New Year Cup ranged from HK$180 to HK$980, far cheaper than for the Inter Miami match, which ranged from HK$780 to HK$4,880.