China catches Real fever in team's first exhibition match
It was only a training match for Real Madrid but fans came by the tens of thousands -- dressed in team shirts, with posters of their stars and Spanish flags in hand.
It was only a training match for Real Madrid but fans came by the tens of thousands -- dressed in team shirts, with posters of their stars and Spanish flags in hand.
Nearly 30,000 Chinese fans filled the stands of the Toudong Stadium in the southwestern city of Kunming cheering wildly for David Beckham, Raul Gonzalez, Zinedine Zidane and the rest of the star-spangled Spanish squad.
That the match itself was of little account -- merely a kick around between Real Madrid A and Real B -- did not seem to matter despite ticket prices of 180 to 780 yuan (22 to 94.50 US dollars) each. This compares to 30 to 80 yuan for a top Chinese league match and an average monthly wage of 800 yuan a month in the region.
Fans whooped and yelled as the Spanish champions treated them to a small taste of Real football in their first major public apperance after five days of practice on secluded grounds outside the city.
Five goals and 60 minutes later fans clapped the Spanish League champions to a standing ovation.
"Oh they're so good," said one fan.
"Great, full of beauty," added another.
As the team set up for the start, eager fans pointed out Madrid stars by name.
"There's Ronaldo," said one. "And look, there's Figo, they've switched him to the left side. He usually plays on the right."
And indeed Portugal's Luis Figo was on the left flank while Real's newest superstar Beckham covered the right side of midfield.
Despite the change that had sparked so much speculation with Beckham's arrival -- both prefer the right midfield -- Figo was unruffled.
Figo bulled his way past defenders hammering a short left cross for the game's second goal.
Minutes later Figo's crisp short pass into the middle found Zidane who turned for the goal with a hard strike from 20 meters out.
Brazil's Ronaldo added another to end the brief session with the A-side coming out on top 3-2.
But once play ended, and despite a heavy police presence that included armed troops in riot gear, nobody went home.
Thousands of smitten specators lined the street to the stadium in hopes of a catching a final glimpse of their heroes before the team sped off to more waves and more cheers.
Real Madrid will practice for two more days in Kunming before travelling to Beijing to face a Chinese XI on August 2.