Stand by for fireworks as old rivals clash
A grand rivalry of evergreen stars, some with World Cup experience, promises to be the highlight of the weekend's action at the HKFC Philips Lighting International Soccer Sevens.
A healthy edge has developed over recent years in encounters between the Philips All Stars and the Lorenz All Stars, and hostilities should resume on Sunday at Football Club.
Lorenz, led by Germany's 1990 World Cup winner, Uwe Bein, will be looking for a third straight veterans title at Sports Road this weekend, while the Philips All Stars, who include past luminaries Dean Holdsworth, Rob Lee and John Beresford, will be out to stop them. Philips were the 2004 winners.
The tournament kicks off tonight with Liverpool legend John Barnes leading Kowloon Cricket Club against the Hood All Stars from England. Former Southampton ace Matt Le Tissier will make his Hong Kong debut for the Southampton Vets, who also play tonight, against Bexton from England.
Former Wimbledon star Holdsworth admitted he is relishing a renewal of the grudge match between his Philips side and Lorenz, should they reach the veterans final on Sunday. The odds favour a rematch because, between them, they have dominated the competition over the past few years.
'There's no love lost. It's the competitive nature [of the two teams] and the will [to win],' explained Holdsworth of the sometimes bad-tempered finals played between the two sides. He should know as he has seen it from both sides, having played last year for Lorenz. This year he's turning out for Philips.
'There's a fine line between doing the right thing to win and doing the wrong thing to win. Last year, it was bordering on not being fair. It got very heated, but the desire with the players was immense and it won't change, because they are professionals and they don't want to lose,' said 38-year-old Holdsworth, one of England's deadliest strikers in the 1990s.
Meanwhile, defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds, who also won the main tournament in 2003 and 2004, are favourites to lift the main trophy again. Also competing are English giants Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, Scottish side Celtic, South African outfit Kaizer Chiefs and local clubs Kitchee, South China and Happy Valley.
