Spanish Roundup

Real Madrid sets off Hong Kong ticket frenzy

HONG KONG (Reuters) -- Thousands of soccer fans rushed to snap up tickets for an eagerly awaited Real Madrid match in Hong Kong when sales finally opened late on Thursday.

"I am very happy," said Yau Ka-kit, a 21-year old student who was among the first to buy the tickets. "I had been queuing up for four days but it was worth it.

"I'm a little tired, now I will go home and sleep," said Yau, who left with bloodshot eyes and four tickets.

He was one of about 5,000 fans who had been standing in line for tickets to the game against a Hong Kong XI side on August 8, which will see David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo take to the field for Real.

Hong Kong's soccer stadium has a seating capacity of about 40,000 but half is reserved for the Hong Kong Football Association and its affiliate clubs.

The overwhelming response prompted organizers to bring forward the start of ticket sales to 9 p.m. (1300 GMT) on Thursday instead of Friday morning and tickets were expected to be sold out within a few hours.

Regular tickets cost between HK$500 and HK$1,500 but on the black market they are being offered at upwards of HK$4,000 (US$513) apiece.

Over 100 security guards and policemen have been on guard since early this week to stop any trouble and queue-jumping, but that has not quelled Hong Kong's famous entrepreneurial spirit.

"I've slipped a few of our brothers into the queue. Send some more over," a burly, topless man with an elaborate tattoo stretching across his shoulder from his chest to his back was overheard saying into his mobile phone. Half a dozen teenage boys standing around him nodded in agreement.

In many parts of Asia, elaborate tattoos are often a sign of gang membership.

Like diamonds

The Real Madrid frenzy has also seized Tokyo and Beijing, where the Spanish club are also due to play.

In Hong Kong, the line of people stretched for over a mile (1.6-km). Huddled under makeshift tents, many played cards or slept in the sweltering heat.

"I simply love football, much like how women love diamonds," said Li Fong-yee, a 66-year-old granny. "I will buy two tickets. If my husband can't go to the match, I shall bring my grandson."

But not everyone in the queue was so enthusiastic.

"This is madness. I prefer doing housework," said Misi Dah, an Indonesian domestic helper who was lining up for her employer.

Real, whose popularity has soared in the Far East since they signed England captain Beckham, will play a local squad next Friday as part of a series of pre-season matches in Asia.

Before that they will play in Beijing against a select squad of Chinese professionals mostly picked from four different A league teams, on August 2. They will also play in Tokyo next Tuesday.

Alcarraz becomes Santander coach

SANTANDER, Spain (AP) -- Racing de Santander appointed Lucas Alcarraz as its new coach on Thursday.

Alcarraz left Recreativo de Huelva in June after three years in charge. He led Recreativo to its first Copa del Rey final last season although he was unable to prevent the team's relegation to the second division.

Santander was coached in tandem for the second half of last season by Chuchi Cos and former club president Dimitri Piterman.

The duo relinquished their role last month when Piterman lost the presidency after failing in a bid to become Santander's majority shareholder. Piterman, who remains a board director, is attempting to regain control.

Santander, which finished 16th last season, is the ninth Spanish first-division club to change its coach this summer.

Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will be under Carlos Queiroz and Frank Rijkaard respectively next season, while Atletico de Madrid, Athletic de Bilbao, Malaga, Mallorca, Valladolid and newly promoted Murcia have also employed new coaches.

Valencia sign up South American pair

VALENCIA, Spain (Reuters) -- Valencia have signed Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira and Uruguayan midfielder Fabian Canobbio, both for undisclosed fees.

Oliveira moves to the Spanish first division club from Santos on a five-year contract, while Canobbio has signed a four-year deal after agreeing a transfer from Penarol.

Oliveira finished joint top scorer in the recently concluded Libertadores Cup with nine goals and the 23-year-old was one of the most sought after talents in South America.

"I hope I can repay the confidence shown in me with goals," Oliveira said at his presentation on Thursday. "I'm ready for this because this is the club I wanted to join."

 

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