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Tom Bell

Lars Hamer

Paul McNamara

Football fans were granted most of their wishes at Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday as the Saudi Super Cup concluded with a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo, even if the Portuguese was narrowly denied the silverware.
Ronaldo’s club Al-Nassr may have been beaten by Al-Ahli in a deciding penalty shoot-out, but the plaudits were largely for the man wearing No 7, the organisers’ star asset as they brought the tournament to East Asia for the first time.
A crowd of about 30,000 cheered Ronaldo’s every contribution, with Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui and Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po among those looking on.
“What I heard from the organisers is that the effect and the impact are very satisfactory and they enjoyed having the games in Hong Kong,” Law said.

With the trophy presentation done, the teams headed to the airport to board flights shortly after midnight.
Post-match press conferences were cancelled, leaving no opportunity for organisers to enthuse, but a source with knowledge of high-profile local football events said the Saudi Arabian Football Federation covered the costs, with the stadium and the Football Association of Hong Kong, China each receiving a fee, and “no one here out of pocket”.
In a hint at discussions to come, a source close to the Saudi association said the visitors were dissatisfied with the venue, calling it “not befitting the quality of players here and this competition”.
They added there was disappointment at the unavailability of Kai Tak Stadium – already booked when this event was finalised in June – and said organisers were keen to explore staging the event in mainland China.

Addressing the concerns, Law said: “Obviously, everything can be improved, including the ground. It is challenging for the ground to be used for three consecutive and very exciting games within a week. That is something that we will have to continue to improve.
“But from what I heard so far, from the organisers and the teams themselves, they enjoyed overall the hospitality, the organisation and the arrangement of Hong Kong and they look forward to coming back in the future.”
The Saudi Pro League’s CEO Omar Mugharbel earlier told the Post: “We are bringing the product, the players and the atmosphere to fans here and we’ll let the football do the convincing.”
Not all were convinced by Wednesday’s poorly attended second semi-final, while the organisers kept fans and media at a distance, but the matches featuring Ronaldo spoke amply to the likes of Angela Lee, who came from Guangzhou on Saturday.
“I was supposed to see him in Shenzhen,” the 14-year-old said, recalling Al-Nassr’s cancellation of a match last year because of an injury to Ronaldo. “I’m so excited to see him this time.”

Those coming from the Middle East included fan groups from the clubs’ home cities of Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar.
Members of Al-Nassr Fans Council explored the city and planned to stay longer after the final, with Disneyland and the Avenue of Stars on their to-do list.
They had ticked off Ronaldo’s CR7 Life Museum, and on Saturday were able to see the main exhibit perform in real time.


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Saudi Super Cup

Ronaldo wows Hong Kong as Saudi Super Cup given ‘very satisfactory’ verdict

Cristiano Ronaldo soaks up the adulation at Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: Elson Li

The Saudi Super Cup trophy is lifted by winners Al-Ahli. Photo: Elson Li

A penalty shoot-out decides the Saudi Super Cup final at Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: Elson Li

Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo was left disappointed on the night. Photo: Elson Li

Saudi Super Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo pulls in fans for final in Hong Kong

Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo during the warm-up before the Saudi Super Cup final. Photo: Reuters

Neither alcohol nor pork products were permitted at the stadium. Photo: Lars Hamer

Saudi Super Cup: Ronaldo fever strikes again, fans flock to stadium hours before kick-off

Fans make their way into Hong Kong Stadium for the first semi-final of the Saudi Super Cup. Photo: Elson Li

Fans try to get a glimpse of Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Al-Nassr’s Saudi Super Cup clash with Al-Ittihad at Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: Lars Hamer

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Al-Ahli players face a small group of their fans ahead of their Saudi Super Cup semi-final against Al-Qadsiah at Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: Elson Li

A smattering of fans watch the Al-Qadsiah v Al-Ahli match at Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: Elson Li

Cristiano Ronaldo in Hong Kong: the making of an icon, and what drives him

The European golden boot won by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008 on display at his CR7 Life Museum in Hong Kong. Photo: Sam Tsang

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring in a Saudi Pro League match in April. Photo: AFP

Football fans Joy Tong (left) and Gan wait to spot Cristiano Ronaldo in Hong Kong. Photo: Dickson Lee

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Sports minister Rosanna Law says organisers ‘look forward to coming back’, although questions remain over stadium


Sports minister Rosanna Law says organisers ‘look forward to coming back’, although questions remain over stadium.


Ronaldo wows Hong Kong as Saudi Super Cup given ‘very satisfactory’ verdict

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Sports minister Rosanna Law says organisers ‘look forward to coming back’, although questions remain over stadium

Sports minister Rosanna Law says organisers ‘look forward to coming back’, although questions remain over stadium