Fans Unhappy At Not Seeing Injured Messi Play As Inter Miami Cruises Past Hong Kong XI 4-1 – News18

HONG KONG: Hong Kong soccer followers and authorities expressed their disappointment on Sunday as Lionel Messi stayed on the bench for the complete 90 minutes whereas Inter Miami defeated a Hong Kong XI 4-1 within the newest cease on the MLS group’s preseason Asian tour.

The Argentine has a hamstring pressure and didn’t play as followers, who snapped up greater than 38,000 tickets inside an hour of them happening sale in December, could possibly be heard booing within the late levels of the sport and on the last whistle.

“Regarding Messi not playing the match today, the government, as well as all football fans, are extremely disappointed about the organizers’ arrangement. The organizers owe all football fans an explanation,” the federal government stated in an announcement on Sunday.

Organizers Tatler XFEST Hong Kong later expressed their “extreme disappointment regarding Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez’s non-participation (in the game) … We, alongside all football fans who attended that match, had been eagerly anticipating Messi’s and Suárez’s participation and share in the disappointment felt by everyone watching.

“Despite some news reports, Tatler did not have any information about the non-participation of Messi or Suárez prior to kickoff.”

Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino defended the choice, saying that the eight-time Ballon D’Or winner, in addition to former Barcelona colleague Suarez who additionally stayed on the bench, couldn’t be risked.

Fans who crammed the identical enviornment a day earlier at the least noticed the 2022 World Cup winner in an open coaching session together with Miami co-proprietor David Beckham.

“We understand the disappointment of the fans for the absence of Leo (Messi) and Luis Suarez,” Martino stated. “We understand a lot of fans are very disappointed and we ask for their forgiveness. We wish we could have sent Leo and Luis on for at least a while but the risk was too big.”

Despite the followers’ frustration, it was a greater efficiency for Miami after a 6-0 thrashing by Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr in Riyadh on Thursday. Messi performed the ultimate seven minutes of that shedding effort.

Robert Taylor opened the scoring for Miami 5 minutes earlier than the break with a curling shot from the nook of the realm. Henri Anier shortly leveled for the hosts, led by nationwide group coach Jorn Andersen.

Lawson Sunderland restored Miami’s lead early within the second half after which, after 56 minutes, supplied the help for Leonardo Campana, who made it 3-1. Ryan Sailor headed a fourth 5 minutes from the top.

Miami finishes its Asian tour in Japan on Wednesday because it takes on Vissel Kobe.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)