Juventus Football Club to Play in Hong Kong; Tickets from HK$180

Hong Kong football fans will have the opportunity to watch Juventus playing at the Hong Kong Stadium on 30 July, when South China Athletic Association Football Team host the Italian team, one of the game’s most historic clubs.

The clash between South China (SCAA) and Juventus, the only international football match to be played in Hong Kong this summer, is being promoted by Catalyst Media Group, a sister company of Relevent Sports, owners of the International Champions Cup.

SCAA will host Juventus following the Italian super club’s appearance in the International Champions Cup in Australia where they will play against Tottenham Hotspur and Melbourne Victory.

“With Hong Kong’s significant fan base for European football, we are delighted to be able to extend the impact of the International Champions Cup 2016 in Australia by bringing Juventus to Hong Kong to play South China” said Mr Hidetaka Toba, Chief Operations Officer of Catalyst Media Group. “With the strong support of the South China Athletic Association and the Hong Kong Football Association, this match will be the highlight of the summer for local football fans and we have set ticket prices to ensure that as many fans as possible will be able to join in the excitement.”

Ticket prices go from HK$300 to HK$680 (HK$180 concession tickets for students and seniors) and will be available from 23 June via local ticketing provider Cityline.

The tie, coming in the pre-season window, offers a vital opportunity for both clubs to gather strength ahead of their respective seasons.

“The fixture will be another important opportunity in our pre-season campaign and will ideally carry on from what we hope will be a successful International Champions Cup in Australia,” said Giorgio Ricci, Head of Global Partnerships and Corporate Revenues at Juventus. “We look forward to returning to Hong Kong to entertain the many Juventus fans in the city. I am sure that the match will be a significant one for all football fans and a highlight of the summer.”

Established in 1897, Juventus is one of the most successful clubs in the history of Italian football and one of the most highly regarded in the world.

The club will travel to Hong Kong on the back of a dominant season that saw them win their fifth consecutive Serie A title and their second straight Coppa Italia.

Their latest Serie A triumph took the club’s total of league crowns to 34, far ahead of its closest rivals AC Milan and Inter Milan on 18, whilst the Coppa Italia win was particularly sweet for the powerhouse, defeating AC Milan 1-0 in extra time.

It capped a truly record-breaking season for the Turin-based club, who at one stage claimed 73 out of 75 points in a streak of 24 wins and a draw from 25 games to stamp their authority on the competition. It was one of the great runs of form in world football, with Juventus scoring 57 times and conceding only nine goals in the process.

Juventus also has a rich history in the Champions League, participating in the competition on 30 occasions since its inception as the European Cup in 1955. Juventus won two Champions League titles (in 1985 and 1996) and last season the team played the final against Barcelona.

Coached by Massimiliano Allegri, they are resolute in defence and like to play an entertaining, direct attacking game that results in constant scoring opportunities and, more often than not, goals.

This is Juventus’ first appearance in Hong Kong since 2008. With a roster boasting a host of stars, including Paulo Dybala, midfielder Hernanes and left-back Alex Sandro, Juventus are sure to keep the Hong Kong fans on the edge of their seats.

At the other end of the pitch, South China are Hong Kong’s most successful side with 41 Hong Kong Premier League (HKPL) titles.

Founded in 1904, the club’s rich history has seen many periods of sustained success, with seven HKPL titles coming in the past two decades alone. The trophy cabinet also features 10 Hong Kong FA Cups – another record. The club has also had success in the Senior Shield, a one-leg knockout competition, winning it on an unprecedented 31 occasions.

Currently under the guidance of caretaker coach Jose Ricardo Rambo, the Caroliners are in the midst of competing in the AFC Cup, a competition run by the Asian Football Confederation for developing Asian nations.

Their most recent game was in the round of 16 against Philippine side Ceres La Salle FC on 24 May, which saw SCAA snatch a thrilling 1-0 extra time win thanks to a goal in the 106th minute by midfielder Luiz Carlos Vieira. South China is the only Hong Kong club in the AFC Cup quarter finals.

“We are honoured to organise this pre-season friendly and this is probably the ideal preparation for the new premier league season. We will definitely put out our best team and play at our best for our home-town supporters,” said Dr Wallace Cheung, Convenor of South China Football Team. “This is a great learning opportunity for the players and lifts the team’s performance level through high level competitions. This will help bring the team to the next level and prepare for the next season. The biggest mission of the second half of this year is to play well in the AFC Cup for Hong Kong. It is not Juventus’ first time playing with us, we are good companions and we will definitely put on a good show.” 

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