Pictures from covering the Premier League Asia Trophy

Expat LFC fan gets surprise of a lifetime at Reds’ Asia Trophy match

Expat LFC fan gets surprise of a lifetime at Reds’ Asia Trophy match

by rick olivares

It has been eight months since Alex Newman moved from England to Hong Kong to open a bar (Bobby’s Rabble located at Central). While he is used to traveling, one slice of home that keeps him from being homesick is watching the Premier League. Liverpool matches to be precise.

“I was born into it,” said Alex while taking in the Liverpool-Crystal Palace Match in the second match of the Premier League Asia Cup Trophy double header. “I’m from Birmingham but my whole family have always been Liverpool supporters. Here in Hong Kong, the time difference is about eight hours so sometimes the matches take place around 12 midnight, two in the morning. And sometimes, even later. Then end around six in the morning. So, I ask my girlfriend (Mary Walsh) to keep me company.”

Newman always makes it a point to follow his favorite club.

When news broke that the Reds were coming over to Hong Kong for a couple of friendlies, Newman asked a friend of his if he could help score some tickets for the match.

Little did Newman know that his friend would do him one better.

Before kick-off between the Reds and the Eagles, Newman went around the Hong Kong Stadium in search of the Liverpool merchandise booth. The line… was kilometric. Feeling rather dejected, Alex went back to his seat with his friends. “I hope to get some merchandise,” he quipped.

A little later, he gave it another go. And this time, he bumped into his friend from Standard Chartered who had “something” for him.

It was a signed Steven Gerrard Liverpool shirt. Complete with a certificate of authenticity. Newman’s eyes bulged at the gift.

“Stevie G is my absolute favorite player,” proclaimed Newman. When he returned to his seat, he proudly showed his shirt to his expatriate friends. One fan seated nearby espied the shirt. “How much for the shirt?” the fan asked.

“No way,” declined Newman. “This one will go to my son… when I have a son. It isn’t every day you come by a signed Steven Gerrard Liverpool shirt.”

Making the day sweeter for Alex and Mary, as well as their friends, was Liverpool’s 2-nil triumph that sent them to the finals of the Asia Trophy this Saturday against Leicester City that dispatched West Brom, 7-6, in a penalty shootout.

“It has been a while since I saw a Liverpool match live. This day… is sweet. All worth it,” beamed Newman before he made his way out of the stadium.

There’s a Golden Sky indeed.

Liverpool fans stream towards Hong Kong Stadium July 19

June Mar Fajardo looks forward to FIBA Asia Cup campaign

June Mar Fajardo looks forward to FIBA Asia Cup campaign

by rick olivares

HONG KONG -- When Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Chito Narvasa announced last Tuesday that PBA squads have agreed to release Gilas pool members to the national team that will compete for the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon this August, San Miguel Beermen center June Mar Fajardo, on vacation in Hong Kong with girlfriend Aerieal Patnongon felt that familiar wave of excitement.

On short vacation before San Miguel kicks off its Governors’ Cup campaign, the veteran national player bared his thoughts while going for early evening coffee with us at Ocean Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui.

“Oo masaya ako na kasama ako sa Gilas,” he said between sips of his coffee. “Hindi lahat nakakasama rito and sino ba may ayaw nasa ganitong sitwasyon? Iba yung pakiramdam. Siyempre kaibigan mo na mga nandito at ang hirap minsan pag-kalaban mo sila sa PBA. Dito sa national team magkakampi na kami. At iba yung challenges.”

Fajardo paused. Even with the limelight on him greater than ever, he expressed that he isn’t really comfortable speaking. “Pasensya na, hindi ako masalita. More sa laro. Sa San Miguel sila Alex (Cabagnot) at Arwind (Santos) yung mga nagsasalita. Sa Gilas, nandun naman sila Jayson (Castro) at Japeth (Aguilar). At dati, si Jimmy (Alapag). Si Jayson naman ang captain ball ng Gilas at alam niya na mga dapat sabihin. Pero suporta ako sa ano ang dapat namin gawin.”

Aside from representing the country in international competition – and fighting for slots to the FIBA World Cup and the Olympics – Fajardo looks back very fondly for it was in the 2013 FIBA Asia where he showed his potential. “Yung mga training namin sa ibang bansa at nakalaban namin mga malalaki – yun ang nakatulong sa akin,” he recalled. “Kung hindi ako lalaban; kung hindi ko gagawin ang trabaho ko ay walang mangyayari sa amin. So nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon at kumpiyansa ng mga coach. Medyo nasanay at nahasa at nadala ko sa PBA.”

Speaking of the goals of making it back to the FIBA World Cup and a long overdue return to the Olympics which is like a Holy Grail for Philippine basketball, falling short is motivation for the slotman. “Siyempre, motivation din sa amin at sa akin personally na makaabot sa Olympics at World Cup. Hindi madali. Sana, next time makuha namin. So good news yung galing kay Commissioner Narvasa.”

While Fajardo is dominant in the PBA, when it comes to international basketball, he is working on his perimeter shooting and agility to cope with the power and faster game.

“Malaking bagay yung perimeter shooting,” he pointed out by way of summation. “Lalo na malalaki yung kalaban na meron mga tira sa labas at experienced pa. Hindi naman lagi makaka-poste. Kailangan din meron tira sa labas. Kaya effective si Ranidel (De Ocampo). Alam na namin kung ano yung dapat i-work on namin practice sa court. Ikaw na mag-add ng kailangan kung mag-swimming, mag-gym para improve yung fitness and conditioning mo. Malaking tulong yan sa bayan.”

At our hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui

Early evening coffee at Ocean Centre

Liverpool's Simon Mignolet expresses optimism for the new season; Klopp is surprised Simon owns a coffee shop

Liverpool's Simon Mignolet expresses optimism for the new season; Klopp is surprised Simon owns a coffee shop

by rick olivares

WAN CHAI, HONG KONG – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and goalkeeper Simon Mignolet were the last representatives of the four Premier League teams participating in the Asia Trophy Cup over the next few days here in Great Britain’s former Crown Colony.

With the inclement weather somewhat clearing up, the teams, media, and the fans were feeling somewhat chipper.

Mignolet who rebounded from coming off the bench to take back the starting keeper’s spot last season, exuded the cheerfulness of the new day.

“The first few days of the pre-season are really good for us so far,” said the Belgian. “We’re training hard and we’re enjoying it.”

We’ve played two games (against Tranmere and Wigan) but at this moment we are not back to our fitness level as last year. In the off-season, we worked hard. Everybody came back in really good shape. When training starts, it’s all about getting to know everybody again. Physically, it’s the first steps.”

With Klopp amusedly looking on upon hearing that Mignolet opened his coffee shop, “Twenty Two Coffee” in his hometown of Sint-Truiden – a reference to his kit number with the Reds – late last calendar year, Mignolet recounted his off-season that he proclaimed to be “enjoyable”.

“After the games with Belgium (two World Cup Qualification matches), we had a couple of weeks off. I spent some time with the family and the wife to go on holiday. But in the meantime, we texted pictures about us in the off-season (to the manager) to show that we kept fit. Even in the off-season, you have to stay fit. I had a good break. I enjoyed it. But I am looking forward to the new season.”

When asked about “reporting to the boss” via text pictures, Mignolet said that he wasn’t alone in doing so. “All the boys let him know what we’re doing in the off-season. Like I say, you have to keep fit. You have to look after your body even if you’re on holiday.”

Now in Hong Kong for a pair of matches – the first against nemesis Crystal Palace and the second either against Leicester City or West Brom – the team isn’t in the Far East for any shopping (of which the island is known for).

“The Asia Cup Trophy is good preparation because you’re facing Premier League opposition,” said Mignolet. “Going into the new season, you play a similar style of football you have to face. We hope to get better conditions and the weather is different. But it’s nice to show the fans out here what the PL is all about so they can see with their own eyes.”

Of expectations for the upcoming season, the goalkeeper measured his words, “Expectations -- to win every game. Go into every game with the idea of trying to get all three points. I think that’s the message. It’s the pre-season, so it’s also about better fitness. It’s about getting ready. At the same time (here in Hong Kong), we want to engage fans.”

Regarding the four-way battle for the starting goalkeeper slot along with Loris Karius and the returning Danny Ward, Mignolet insisted the competition is good not only for each other but also for the squad. “We push each other for the new season. The more competition there is for the players, the better. We can only get better individually. I know myself I have to push myself as far as I can go. You look in the mirror every day and ask what can you do better and what can you improve? We push each other not only in training but also in the games.”

Mingolet also had good words for Ward who was outstanding with Huddersfield (which was promoted to the Premier League at the end of the last season). “He’s gained experience of course. He had a good season with Huddersfield. Not only the experience but what it will do for his confidence. Playing in the championship will help him. It will be important for our position (for goalkeeper). He’s a year older and he’s come back a different man.”

“We are looking forward to this season. Football is played in the present and not in the past. And in the future. It is important we qualified for the Champions League. That is something we are looking forward to. Everyone in the squad is hungry for the new season. The main message is nobody can do anything individually we have to do it as a squad. We have a good bunch of lads who want to do well in England and in Europe.”

But before Liverpool turns its firm attention to the Premier League, there is the matter of the Asia Cup Trophy.

“Two years ago we came to Asia and kinda had a bit of rain. It’s normal here and we’re used to it. We have to deal with the situation as best as we can. We make sure we are physically ready to train today. So, we look forward to it and deal with it. We will deal with it as best as we can.”