Advertisement
Advertisement

Ex-China captain set to line up against Juventus

Former China captain Fan Zhiyi could, after all, be a guest player for Kitchee in the Grand Promenade Cup against Juventus at Hong Kong Stadium tomorrow.

Fan's China Super League side Zhong Bang Shanghai officially informed Kitchee on Tuesday that they would not allow their player - who has been suspended indefinitely by the club - to play against the newly crowned Italian champions.

But, according to match organisers KCE Sport and Entertainment, Fan has said he will definitely be there.

'Fan has confirmed to us that he will definitely be able to play after all,' said KCE press officer, Kitty Ng.

Fan and two Zhong Bang teammates were penalised for breaching the Shanghai club's rules on commercial activities and have been suspended from training and competition.

Kitchee are expected to field three other guest players, including Italian star Paolo Di Canio. The experienced striker plays for Italian Serie A side Lazio, having spent several seasons in the English Premiership. Kitchee will also borrow the services of top marksmen Clodoaldo De Oliveira and Gerard Ambassa, both of Happy Valley.

Meanwhile, Alessandro Del Piero scored to give Juventus a 1-0 win over Yokohama F-Marinos in Japan on Wednesday.

Juventus will arrive in Hong Kong this afternoon, and conduct a training session at the Hong Kong Stadium at 6pm today.

The Turin giants, who won their 28th Serie A title two weeks ago, return to Japan to take on FC Tokyo on Tuesday.

Post