Hong Kong Institute of Education striker Lai Chan-ho will have only two goals in mind when HKIED plays Glasgow Celtic on May 29 - learn as much as possible, and try to score.
Chan-ho was on hand at a press conference to announce the schedule of play for the 2004 HKFC Philips Lighting International Soccer 7s. HKIED is in Group A with top-seeded Celtic, Glasgow Rangers and KFC Tokyo for the two day tournament at Hong Kong Football Club. Aston Villa, Arsenal and Manchester United are the other top seeds.
'We played them two years ago and we lost 1-0,' Chan-ho said. 'We're not expecting to win this tournament, but we want to do our best and learn what we can. We also want to score a goal against them.'
Celtic will feature forward Craig Beattie, who has played 16 league games so far in his first season. The 20 year old has scored two league goals to date, most recently the equaliser against Motherwell last Wednesday.
They will also have the services of Aiden McGeady, hailed by some as the next Jimmy Johnstone. McGeady scored in his debut league match last month.
In the 2002 Soccer 7s, Celtic dominated possession and HKIED wasn't able to put together a single shot attempt. But this time, Chan-ho's team will be better prepared.