FC INTERNAZIONALE MILANO CLAIM THE ASAHI SUPER DRY TROPHY AS HONG KONG FOOTBALL FESTIVAL FANS RAISE THE ROOF
It took the high drama of a penalty shootout to deliver Cristian Chivu and his reigning Italian Serie A champions FC Internazionale Milano (Inter) the Asahi Super Dry Trophy at the Kai Tak Stadium on Saturday night as the Hong Kong Football Festival (HKFF) 2026 showcased the very best the world's game has to offer. After 90 minutes of intense action had finished 1-1, and had left fans on the edge of their seats, Inter's Matteo Lavelli kept his nerve to bury the winning spotkick at 3-1 and to hand the silverware to the Italians.
It sent their fans among the 42,826 gathered into delirium.
For new Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca there was disappointment with the end result but not the effort as the reigning FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders build towards the season ahead. The trip to Hong Kong had ticked all the boxes, he said.
"I'm very happy to be here in Hong Kong," said Maresca. "There have been lots of fans - yesterday at the training session; today for the game. So I'm very happy with that. We got work in the legs and that at this moment is important," said Maresca. "In two weeks, we have the first official games so I think it's important to prepare. There are things that we can do better, but slowly, slowly, we're going to get better. I'm very happy."
Both clubs showed their intent to play and to entertain with star-studded line-ups. Two of the brightest of those in City's Antoine Semenyo and Inter's Federico Dimarco were heavily involved early and provided the moves that led to the goals. Semenyo slipped his defender on the left and found Divin Mubama unmarked a yard out on 14 minutes; Dimarco was at his bustling best with a charge from the left and a cross that led to Benjamin Pavard's 20th-minute equaliser.
While Maresca would have been happy with how City exerted control in the second half, and with the all-round efforts of Savinho and Ryan McAidoo in particular, they just couldn't find the back of the net. And so we went to penalties. Thousands of fans had started milling around the Kai Tai Sports Park in the hours leading up to the big match, with restaurants, cafes and shops inside the Kai Tak Retail Malls buzzing. Outside the stadium there were queues for souvenirs and for the chance to take selfies with team mascots. It's all part of what the Hong Kong Government sees as the city's "ticket stub economy" - with local businesses and attractions coming to the party with special discounts and deals for those attending games - and on Saturday fans were making full use of the offers.
The inaugural Hong Kong Football Festival in 2025 generated HK$437 million (US$56 million) in economic value for the city that supports it and ever-expanding dining, entertainment and shopping options in the 12 months since have added to the occasion for both local fans and those pairing the HKFF with a holiday in Hong Kong. With nearly 600 players, staff and support team members travelling into the city for the Hong Kong Football Festival, as well as thousands of diehard football fans, it is hoped that this year's Festival will have an equally positive impact on the community.
New York-based brothers and Manchester City fanatics Russell and Tommy Morgan said they were in town to "keep the party rolling" after taking in a few games at the recent FIFA World Cup in their homeland. "The buzz was real and we both used to work here so this seemed too good to be true," said Russell as the pair rushed inside the Kai Tak Stadium to escape a downpour outside. "We'd heard about this stadium but to see it for real is incredible. We'll watch the boys play, and then we'll party."
Cissy Long was deked out in a Federico Dimarco strip and had brought her husband and two kids across from Foshan. "Last year it was Liverpool for him; this year it is Inter for me," she laughed. "We have friends here from all around [the Greater Bay Area] and the plan is to go eat in the mall next door after the game."
Next up comes the second and final HKFF match on Wednesday, 5 August, with The Herbalgy Trophy between Chelsea FC and Juventus. "Hong Kong has done it again," said Ms. Rachael Carroll, Managing Director of promoter TEG Sport. "Football fans across the city and the nation once again welcomed the world's premier football clubs and stars with incredible hospitality and grace, and the clubs and stars returned that welcome with a fantastic occasion. "And it is only our first of two matches! We still have more incredible football to come in The Herbalgy Trophy between Chelsea and Juventus. We can't wait to be back in the fabulous Kai Tak Stadium to feel the passion of football with all of the fans on 5 August," added Ms Carroll.
The Match Schedule
● The Herbalgy Trophy - Chelsea FC vs Juventus: Kick-off: 7:30pm, Wednesday, 5 August 2026
The Hong Kong Football Festival is proudly supported by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, The Government of Hong Kong.
The Presenting Partner for the match between Manchester City and Inter is Asahi Super Dry, the Official Training Kit Partner of Manchester City and Manchester City Women, in addition to the Official Beer Partner of four other clubs within City Football Group. BYD is the automotive partner, DBS is the Official Diamond Sponsor and Banking Partner, Trip.com is the Official Travel Experience Partner, and the Official Broadcaster is HOY TV. Supporting partners for the match include the Hong Kong Tourism Board and The Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA).
Hong Kong Football Festival is proud of being an "M" Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia's sports event capital. The "M" Mark is awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolising intense, spectacular and signature events in the territory sports calendar.