Spanish star Fernando Torres ‘99.99 per cent sure for Lunar New Year Cup’, organisers say

They hope an increased number of spectators will attend the four-team tournament at Hong Kong Stadium during the holidays.

“We are 99.99 per cent sure Torres will be coming with his team to Hong Kong barring unforeseeable reasons,” said Steven Lo Kit-sing of RedMr Sports, joint-organiser of the tournament alongside the Hong Kong Football Association.

“He is on the player list and we are processing a work permit for him to play here. Of course, we have also made a special request for his presence. His club Sagan Tosu are sending a delegation of 150 people here including players, officials, VIPs and media representatives. They will take a Hong Kong tour as part of their promotional programme and there is no way they are not sending their most high-profile player.”

Lo, who also owns Premier League side Pegasus, said they will be selling one ticket that covers both match days with two price options – HK$280 and HK$480 – while concessionary tickets for senior citizens and students will be HK$180. Each ticket will have a HK$100 coupon for Adidas or RedMR attached.

“The highest price per match works out to only HK$120 which is even cheaper than some of the domestic games, but we have so many star players to watch,” Lo said. “We are expecting to sell at least 20,000 tickets, which will balance our expenses and hopefully the number will reach 30,000.

“We’re offering tickets at such a low prices hoping more people will come. The Lunar New Year Cup has a long tradition in Hong Kong and we hope it will continue after we make a success this year.”