HKFA 'hopeful' of luring Argentina for October international friendly
South American nation's response to being invited to mark association's centenary has been 'positive'
World powerhouses Argentina have been invited to play an international friendly to mark the Hong Kong Football Association's 100th anniversary in October.
The governing body originally targeted teams from Europe to play against Hong Kong, but it is understood England, Germany and the Netherlands have turned down invitations as they will be engaged in European Championship qualifiers.
"We have approached Argentina and the response is positive," said HKFA chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak yesterday.
He added that plans were in place for Argentina to face fellow South Americans Brazil in an exhibition match at the Bird's Nest National Stadium in Beijing on October 11, and that "it will be convenient to get them down to Hong Kong afterwards".
"Argentina will certainly be a big crowd puller with so many top stars," Leung said. "We can also save a lot of money on airfares by bringing them from Beijing rather than Buenos Aires. But it is still being negotiated and we will step up the process as time is running short. Hopefully, it can be confirmed within six weeks."
Brazil were also contacted, but have shown little interest.