Kitchee Vs Newcastle United |
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Date:
Sunday 18th July 2004
Kick Off: 8.00pm local time (1.00pm UK)
Venue: Hong Kong Stadium
Ref: Fong Yau Fat
Comp: Pre-Season Friendly |
| Pre-Season
Match Preview In Association With Toon
Ale |
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The
Asian Tour ends here...
So the final game of our Far East Tour is about to be concluded against
club side FC Kitchee. Having drawn 1-1 (but lost 4-2 on penalties)
against Thailand last Thursday it would be good to round off our trip
with a win and a couple of goals but getting the lads fit and trying
out 'new things' is the name of the game in these meaningless matches
and this is what I'd like Bobby to do - to try out some 'new things'.
No, not the 3-5-2
formation mooted by Luke Edwards of the Journal. No, I'd like
to see Bobby try a few players in different positions! Before you
all leave shaking your heads I'm not advocating that Bobby should
play, god forbid...Bowyer on the right or something (that would be
crazeee), I'd just like to see some variation to our game that's all.
I'd like to see the ambidextrous James Milner behind a front-two weaving
his magic. Or how about Shola and Chopra up front?
This game is the perfect opportunity for Bobby to try out some 'new
things' and to breathe life into our game that struggled to draw breath
at times last season due to the suffocating constraints of our tactics.
Give certain players some freedom, move the ball about, have fun...it's
only a Friendly. Good luck to Bobby and the lads.
P.S Bobby, not 3-5-2, anything but that...please!
United took the following 21-man squad to the Far East:
Given, Harper, Caig, Bramble,
Bernard, Hughes, Taylor, Elliott, O'Brien,
Bowyer, Speed, Robert,
Ambrose, Milner, McClen, Jenas,
Guy, Brittain, Chopra, Ameobi, Shearer.
Those in blue started the game against
Thailand.
Those missing are Bellamy (injury), Woodgate (injury), Dyer (extended
holiday) and Viana who is on compassionate leave apparently. The rest
come on as subs except for Harper and Bernard.
It is thought that Olivier Bernard will not feature in this game having
picked up a groin injury prior to the Thailand match.
It remains to be seen who will make the starting 11 for this match
but changes are expected with the possibilty of Given, Speed, Shearer,
Bramble, Ambrose, Jenas & Robert all facing the chop which could
see Bobby select the following 11 maybe;
Harper, Hughes, O'Brien, Taylor, Elliott, Brittain, Bowyer, McClen,
Milner, Ameobi, Guy.
Like the Thailand National Team, Kitchee will be no pushovers having
recently beat AC Milan. Again, Kitchee will be quick, technically
very good and excellent athletes like their Thai counterparts and
they too will cause us problems.
Say hello to: Former World Cup winner and Chelsea
centre-back Marcel Dessailly and former Smoggies
striker Fabrizio Ravanelli who have both been drafted
into the Kitchee squad, presumably for lots of $$$$$, with both expected
to take part in the match at some stage. Dessailly of course last
faced Newcastle back in April when Big Al and his strike-partner Ameobi
destroyed him and the Chelsea defence with a goal a piece, securing
a 2-1 win against the London team. More of the same please. Ravanelli
last faced United back in Season 2001-2002 at Pride Park when he come
on for Malcolm Christie after 65 minutes with Derby winning 2-0. United
ran out 3-2 winners in that game in a memorable match (a memorable
season) - lets hope Rava has the same luck in Hong Kong.
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The
Hong Kong Stadium will play host to Newcastle's second
and final match in our week long Far East Tour against club
side Kitchee. The Stadium has a 40,000 capacity and looks a
superb stadium with two huge towering stands either side of
each other giving it an airy open look.
The Stadium, formerly the Hong Kong government's stadium, has
been refurbished and redeveloped to meet modern requirements
and was reopened in 1994 to become Hong Kong's largest outdoor
multi-purpose entertainment and sports venue.
The Hong Kong Stadium has been used for a variety of events
including Rugby Sevens, the Lunar New Year soccer tournaments,
the Liverpool and Real Madrid matches, the National Day Celebration
Show, charity events such as the Walk for Millions, as well
as a number of musical and religious events. |
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