Sport/ Football

12 years on, South China's Chan Wai-ho tackles Raul again

South China player goes up against former Galactico in Lunar New Year match

Chan Kin-wa

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Published: 11:15pm, 17 Feb, 2015

Updated: 12:41am, 18 Feb, 2015

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Raul, of New York Cosmos, at training yesterday in preparation for the Lunar New Year Cup clash against South China. Photo: Sam Tsang

South China captain Chan Wai-ho and New York Cosmos star Raul will cross paths again - 12 years after they first met on the pitch at Hong Kong Stadium.

The last time Chan stepped out to face Raul, Hong Kong was ravaged by Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and the centre back was tasked with marking the then Real Madrid forward in a 2003 exhibition match held to restore Hong Kong's battered image as a tourist destination.

Raul was in a line-up that included David Beckham, Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane.

I am very happy we will meet each other on the field after all these years Chan Wai-ho

So it has come as a pleasant surprise for Chan to be trying to stop the Spaniard again during the Lunar New Year Cup game, which kicks off tomorrow. "He [Raul] wasn't the biggest name at that time," recalled Chan. "The Madrid squad boasted Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos - what a dream team!

The 37-year-old moved to New York in October. Photo: Xinhua

"I am very happy we will meet each other on the field after all these years. I am sure Raul will face a difficult game because he will be a marked man. It won't be easy for the visitors."

Chan, 32, said the Spanish legend, who is now 37, had impressed him.

"He has the will and desire to play football at his age. It may be too difficult for him to survive in the La Liga but the North American scene fits nicely," said Chan.

Raul said yesterday he had signed a two-year contract with Cosmos.

And the former Real star admitted he is quickly finding his form after a few training sessions here as he prepares for the North American Soccer League. And he is surprised that many Hong Kong fans still remember him.

Raul is in Hong Kong taking part in South China's annual Lunar New Year exhibition match. Photo: Xinhua

While Chan will cherish his reacquaintance with Raul, South China coach Mario Gomez's plan of a famous victory has been hit by the absence of key midfield player Sean Tse Ka-keung and likely a forthcoming AFC Cup game due to injury.

The Manchester City Youth Academy product pulled a hamstring during training and is expected to be out for two weeks. Tse is one of the three designated foreign players for the regional cup tie.

Gomez had planned to use the exhibition match to fine-tune the club's build-up for the AFC Cup opening group match against Global of the Philippines six days later.

Youngster Philip Chan Siu-kwan will replace Tse tomorrow but they are considering substituting Tse in the AFC Cup with another overseas player, Mahama Awal of Cameroon.