James, whose wife is from Hong Kong, said: “It is a wonderful opportunity to play with such legendary players, and it will be fantastic to come up against some of the Hong Kong legends.”
The 18-man local squad boasts an average age of 44.2, while the comparative figure for the invited glitterati is 46.9.
Robert Pires, the Arsenal great and World Cup winner with France, told the Post his appetite for playing football has not diminished since retirement 13 years ago.
“I love playing, it has been in my blood since I started when I was seven,” Pires said. “Maybe I am old, but not in my head, in there, I am very good.”
Pires, who arrived in Hong Kong at 7am on Monday, played in a Masters Match in the city only last month.
“Chinese people love football, and Hong Kong is a great location, with a very good stadium,” he added. “When I landed, there were a lot of people waiting for me, with flags and shirts, and pictures of Arsenal, so I am very excited to be here and play this match.”
Hong Kong FA Chairman Eric Fok was not at the pre-match press conference, despite his name appearing on the dais until minutes before proceedings got under way.
Paul Kam, the chairman of organisers ProEvents Group, did attend, and said he wanted the match “to leave a legacy”.
“We have been talking about getting these players to Hong Kong for a couple of years,” Kam said. “This is an exciting time for Hong Kong football, and we want to inspire local players.”
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The visiting team, whose players spent Monday afternoon at community events in Tseung Kwan O and Shek Mun, also count Spanish 2010 World Cup winning pair Carles Puyol and David Villa among their number.
Villa, along with fellow 42-year-old Tiago Mendes, who played for Juventus and Atletico Madrid, looks in good enough condition to still be competing at the top level.
A few of his new teammates do not cut the athletic figures of old, and Mikael Silvestre, the ex-Manchester United and Arsenal defender, joked his side had been “preparing like crazy … we climbed Everest twice”.
“I think we are ready, though,” he said. “It is a great opportunity for us, and a way to prolong our careers. We are looking forward to it, and hope these guys [Hong Kong players] do not give us too tough a time.”
The local contingent includes two 56-year-olds in Leslie Santos and Lee Kin-wo. Yapp Hung-fai, the current national team keeper, is the baby of the group at 33. There are a couple of active players involved, too, in the shape of Leung Chun-pong of Eastern, and BC Rangers midfielder Au Yeung Yiu-chung.
Former Kitchee and Hong Kong midfielder, and current Lee Man assistant coach, Chu Siu-kei said his team had been preparing for “20 years … since we grew up watching these guys on television”.
“It will be a great joy to celebrate Chinese New Year playing alongside these football legends,” he added.
Tickets costing between HK$180 and HK$980 are available from FWD MAX, and can be bought at the stadium in advance of the 5pm kick-off.
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