Kitchee FC coach welcomes Navy Blues

Words: ACFC Media

Wednesday 18 January 2017

Picture: FIFA via Getty Images

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC coach Ramon Tribulietx says anticipation is building as his team prepare to take on three top Asian sides in Hong Kong at the end of January.

The Navy Blues have replaced Australia U-23 in the annual Nike Lunar New Year Cup alongside FC Seoul (Korea Republic), SCG Muangthong United FC (Thailand) and host club Kitchee FC (Hong Kong).

Tribulietx, who has a strong track record of success in international competitions, is delighted to be involved.

"Our club recently stopped by Hong Kong en route to Japan for the FIFA Club World Cup and played a closed-door warm up match there with Hong Kong Rangers.

"I found Hong Kong to be a wonderful city and our players are very excited to participate in a tournament to celebrate Chinese New Year with the people of Hong Kong.

"We understand that the tournament has been an annual event since the early 1980s and many notable teams and players have graced its stage in the past.

"We look forward to playing FC Seoul, the champions of the K-League, in the opening game," he said.

Nike are the title sponsor of the Lunar New Year Cup 2017. The sportswear giant is a long term sponsor of Hong Kong champions Kitchee FC.

Alex Chu, Kitchee FC's head coach, was pleased a club the calibre of Auckland City FC had been chosen to participate.

"We've got three teams who each have won their national title in recent years making this edition of the Nike Lunar New Year Cup one of the most attractive in recent seasons.

"When you look at the Auckland City FC squad you can see it is packed with talented footballers.

"Eñaut Zubikarai played for Real Sociedad, Cam Howieson is a New Zealand international who played in the Scottish Leagues with Saint Mirren, Clayton Lewis is also a New Zealand international, Albert Riera, the midfielder, played with the Wellington Phoenix for three years.

"Then you have the striker Joao Moreira and midfielder Mario Bilen - both these players played age-group for Portugal and Croatia," he said.

The Nike Lunar New Year Cup will be played at Hong Kong National Stadium on January 28 and 31.

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