Sunday 5th September, 12:00 noon

Kai Tak Oval, Dakota Drive (off Olympic Avenue) Kowloon City, Kowloon

See the attachment for details: THECHINACUP.pdf or contact his eminence:president@hk-dragons.com for further details

On 5 September 2010 the China Cup comes to Hong Kong for the first time.

From its origins in 2003 when HK played Shanghai in Shanghai during SARS, this cup has grown in significance and five teams will compete for the cup this time – China Reds, Guangzhou, Macau, Hong Kong Dragons and Hong Kong rebel group the Pok Fulam Vikings (arghh!).

The first game in 2003 was almost cancelled due to the onset of SARS meaning several Hong Kong players pulled out of the trip with the fear of catching SARS on the flight to Shanghai. There was also the concern from the Dragons key man insurance provider that key Dragons powerbrokers (the coach and president) could not fly on the same plane. However, these issues were all resolved and the Hong Kong boys were able to get to Shanghai and thump the locals by 80 points.

Previous battles for the cup have seen Hong Kong compete against China in Shanghai 3 times and once in Beijing. Beijing and Shanghai have also played each other several times.

Sunday promises to be a huge afternoon with some good football on display. The Farm guide would suggest Guangzhou and Macau will be underdogs as developing teams and Pok Fulam to be too old. Therefore it should be down to the Hong Kong Dragons and China Reds. The Dragons at home are hard to beat, but the China Reds are assembling a pretty good side in the lead-up to hosting the Asian Championships in Shanghai in October.

Come down to Kai Tak oval and see the big men fly (or stay on the ground) this Sunday!

Farmer