DOWNPOUR DOESN'T DAMPEN SPIRITS AT AC MILAN OPEN TRAINING FOR HONG KONG FOOTBALL FESTIVAL
Even a red rainstorm warning could not stop Italian football powerhouse AC Milan from reuniting with their legion of fans today at their Open Training session at the Hong Kong Stadium in Causeway Bay as they prepare for their clash Saturday with Liverpool FC at the Hong Kong Football Festival.
Heavy rains and lightning early on threatened that AC Milan superfans would have to wait one more day for the club's first appearance in Hong Kong since 2004.
After an initial warm-up was halted by the weather, the team returned to the changing rooms for over 20 minutes, but re-emerged to greet their throngs of fans who had patiently waited for their heroes despite the deluge, to complete their hourlong training session.
"We're so happy to be able to see our fans here and the way they waited for us in the rain made us even more determined to entertain tonight and come Saturday," said Massimiliano Allegri.
"To see them here in their thousands tonight despite the conditions shows just how much football – and AC Milan – mean to this city."
Returning the sentiment was AC Milan superfan Gine Lin, "I trusted them to come out in the rain because they are AC Milan."
"It was really great. After 20 years they are back in Hong Kong. I have never been to Italy so this is like a dream."
AC Milan play the Premier League champions, Liverpool FC, on Saturday, 26 July (kick off at 7.30pm), in The Standard Chartered Trophy, the first of two matches in the inaugural Hong Kong Football Festival (HKFF) being staged at the city's new Kai Tak Stadium.
On 31 July, Arsenal play Tottenham Hotspur in The Harbalgy Trophy, also at Kai Tak.
Both matches of the Hong Kong Football Festival are sold out.
AC Milan gamely ran out to start their session before the thousands of fans already in attendance hours before the session, but their work was quickly cut short by the weather.
The downpour failed to dampen the spirit of fans at tonight's training, as they sang in the rain while watching AC Milan stars like Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic, Mike Maignan up close and personal.
AC Milan have an estimated 150 million fans across mainland China and a good number have made the trip this week to Hong Kong to see their heroes.
"They are my heroes," said 25-year-old Zhang Xiang, down from Shanghai with five friends – all AC Milan fanatics. "We are excited to be here and have time to see the city. We're here to watch them train tonight – and win on Saturday."
There are plenty who hold the Rossoneri close to their hearts in Hong Kong, too. "I've been a fan for 20 years and I've never had the chance to see them before," said 40-year-old Jeff Kung.
"Now we have a new stadium, so I hope they come back every year."
With match tickets for the first ever international club games at Kai Tak Stadium selling out soon after opening, tickets to the teams' Open Training sessions remain the last opportunity to see the stars of these iconic football teams live and in person.
Both Tottenham Hotspurs FC and Arsenal FC will hold Open Training sessions at Kai Tak on 29 and 30 July, respectively.
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| Milan beat Liverpool 4-2 |
Open Training tickets start at only $99 and are available via Cityline, offering fans a unique opportunity to watch their football heroes in action.