Published on July 29, 2005

Galacticos promise a great match. The Galacticos return-ed to the capital yesterday with a promise that Thai fans would see the best match possible from the team’s best players in the clash with Thailand’s under-23 team. About 1,000 Real Madrid fans defied the rain to wait outside the Swissotel Le Concorde from early afternoon yesterday to see the world’s highest-priced team,

who have the last pre-season match in their Asian tour with the Thai national team at the Rajamangala National Stadium today. Two years ago at the same venue, the Spanish superstars beat Thailand 2-1.

Real skipper Raul Gonzalez led his squad, including Brazil internationals Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos, Portugal international Luis Figo and England internationals David Beckham and Michael Owen into the hotel’s lobby with the fans screaming as they pushed to get a glimpse of the football stars.

But it was the England captain David Beckham who proved the most popular celebrity of the evening, the cheers reaching fever pitch when stepped out of the bus that brought him from the airport. Even compatriot Owen did not receive such a noisy welcome.

Real coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo said at a press conference yesterday that Thai fans would see all of the team’s players in today’s game.

“Tomorrow will be a wonderful match between the Thai team and Real Madrid. I assure all the team’s stars will play in the exciting match tomorrow,” said the Brazilian who four years ago accompanied the Brazilian national team to the Kingdom for a friendly against Thailand.

Real director Arrigo Sacchi said the players would score as many goals as they could to gain as much money as possible for the tsunami victims.“We expected to score as many as possible to receive enough money to donate for tsunami relief,” said the former Italy coach.

Samart i-Mobile said it would pay Bt200,000 for every goal scored by the Spanish giants and the proceeds would go to the tsunami relief fund. The Thai team would get Bt400,000 a goal they score from FHM Magazine (Thailand).

Raul said he was impressed by the warm welcome of the Thai fans and vowed to find the net as much as possible to thank them for their hospitality.“Thank you for the fans’ great welcome. I will score as many goals as I can, and tomorrow the spectators will see the best match from the best team,” said the Spanish international who waved, smiled and developed a friendly rapport with the fans nearby.

Brazilian left back Roberto Carlos agreed with his captain, saying many goals would mean much more money for tsunami victims.

“I hope we can score as many goals as possible so that we can get a lot of money for the tsunami relief,” said the explosive full-back whose diamond earring twinkled as he spoke.

The Real squad will meet Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at Government House this morning and then return to the hotel to meet fans with the competition’s sponsors until noon.

However there was bad news for Chiang Mai fans as the team cancelled their trip to the northern capital for a clinic.“I would like to apologise to the fans in Chiang Mai for having to cancel the trip. Our team has limited time and the players need to prepare for the match [today],’’ said Emilio Butragueno, the team’s vice president.

Organisers claim although 80 per cent of seats have been taken, tickets can still be bought from midday today in front of the stadium.

Chang Beer said 10,000 free tickets have been prepared for fans today at Chang Beer Booth inside the Hua Mark Stadium. Fans must bring three Chang Beer tops to get a ticket.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam, Montreechai Lumyongsatian

The Nation

Post your comment to this story here