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Manchester United have edge over Liverpool in Hong Kong Masters exhibition match – but Luis Figo stands supreme

  • Michael Owen’s All-Stars beaten by Ryan Giggs-led Scholes Legends as veterans roll back the years
  • Modest yet appreciative crowd grab pictures and autographs after Figo scores twice in a sedate contest on a mature garden of a pitch

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Luis Figo on the ball for the Scholes Legends at Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong’s back – in the 1990s, or perhaps earlier, after Saturday’s World Football Masters Cup swept a galaxy of used-to-bes in and out of town, with the Owen All-Stars outshone by the Scholes Legends while they were here.

There was time for slow-mo magic from Luis Figo and snapshots of a longed-for past in a 5-2 win for Scholes’ side, even if the players came with luggage, performed on a meadow at Hong Kong Stadium and left without a word.

Only about 7,000 parted with HK$280 to HK$980, but the atmosphere beat that for recent visits by present-day teams. It prompted the thought: was football, certainly in Hong Kong, better in the old days?

Such questions were kicked into the lengthy grass as Michael Owen’s side, loosely Liverpool old boys, took on a team of vaguely Manchester United alumni, initially under Paul Scholes then, when illness intervened, Ryan Giggs.
Michael Owen led the Liverpool-dominated All-Stars against the Scholes Legends on Saturday. Photo: Dickson Lee
Michael Owen led the Liverpool-dominated All-Stars against the Scholes Legends on Saturday. Photo: Dickson Lee

The latter added Figo and assorted Premier League throwbacks, while both line-ups featured grand old men of the local scene. There was Lau Wing-yip, 70, Leung Nang-yan, still 69, and Ku Kam-fai, a whippersnapper at 62. A sedate pace was guaranteed.

Tom Bell
Tom has covered Olympics, football and rugby World Cups, English Premier League and a disastrous Lions tour. Highlights include Bolt at the Bird's Nest, Messi at the Maracana, European nights at Anfield and finding England's rugby tactics in Ireland's hotel. He chose this job aged 9 while watching rugby at HK Football Club.
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