Still star struck from their encounter with world champions Brazil last week, Kitchee's Hong Kong team members return to reality when they take on Shanghai Shenhua in an inter-port friendly tonight.
There will be no Ronaldhino, Cafu or Roberto Carlos at the Mongkok Stadium. But it will still be good preparation for Kitchee's important First Division match against Citizen, where championship points are at stake.
'This is a goodwill match, purely a friendly game, but it will be taken seriously by both teams,' said Hong Kong Football Association general secretary, Martin Lam Chun-ying.
The match against Shanghai used to be a regular fixture on the local football calendar, but it was cancelled due to the Sars outbreak in 2003 and a hectic schedule last year.
It will be the 16th match in the series involving Hong Kong teams and Shanghai.
'We always invite one of our club teams to play in this game,' said Lam. 'Both will field their best players. It is important for Shanghai as they prepare for the Chinese Super League, and important for Kitchee as they want to remain in the chase for the title.'
