Main Photo: Ryan Kam
At Kai Tak Sports Park, amidst the fireworks, pyrotechnics, booming music and dragon dances; a night of mixed emotions as near frenzied excitement was tinged with nostalgia, reminiscing and an underlying sadness.
A dominant title win by Liverpool still overshadowed by news that had placed football firmly into perspective. A hurt that may never go away.
In the glamorous and glitzy surroundings of the New Kai Tak Sports Park, two grand and traditional names of football had the chance to settle an old score.
Sure, the two sides had met since THAT night in 2005 though this was slightly different; 20 years had passed since a match which has passed into almost mythical status; you probably had to be there ‘live’ in person to believe it even happened.
Twenty years is still not long enough for May 25th 2005 to be a distant memory consigned to the history books.
A raw wound for the Rossoneri that lingers. Surely victory was within their grasp that night. What happened?
Younger fans have heard the ‘Istanbul’ story passed down almost like folklore. Players from both sides, who took the field at Kai Tak, with little to no recollection of the ‘pure madness’ of what unfolded at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium.
AC Milan and their small band of fans in the South stand seemed to take the role of an uninvited guest who had the audacity to gate crash Liverpool’s Hong Kong party.
‘Fortress Kai Tak’ was a sea of Liverpool red though no problem for the seasoned professionals of AC Milan accustomed to hostile crowds far from the safe confines of the San Siro.
The ‘Rossoneri’ and their fans held their own with Christian Pulisic driving the Serie A side forward as they matched Liverpool toe to toe right from the start.
Massimiliano Allegri, the shrewd tactical master, was no doubt ready to unleash ‘Allegri-Ball’ to a part of the world where the frenzied pace of the EPL still dominates in terms of popularity over the technical guile of Serie A.
Liverpool got off to a shaky start with Alisson Becker’s mistake in the 4th minute giving the fleet-footed Rafael Leao a half chance. Dominik Szoboszlai responded with a drive in the 5th minute safely gathered by the towering Mike Maignan in the Milan net.
Mohamed Salah, making a triumphant return to HK after being a relative unknown in his only 2nd Liverpool appearance at the old HK Stadium in 2017, drew cheers whenever the ball fell to him.
AC Milan took the lead in the 10th minute after a phenomenal counter-attack driven on by Christian Pulisic paved the way for Rafael Leão to smash home.
In the 20th minute, the stadium united in tribute to a wonderful player and more importantly, a father, son, husband, gone all too soon.
Liverpool equalized in the 26th minute with a goal floated in by Dominik Szoboszlai. All seemed good in the world again for the vast majority of the crowd.
Christian Pulisic, maybe trying to make a point after a hit and miss time in the English Premier league, unleashed a left foot drive in the 34th minute just past the post and had another attempt in the 43rd minute.
AC Milan took the lead in the 52nd minute after yet another lightning fast counter-attack which originated from their own corner flag and which concluded with a surging run from Rafael Leão and a precise finish from Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The decisive third goal from Milan in the 56th minute saw another blistering attack simply overwhelm Liverpool who seemed to be chasing shadows. Alexis Saelemaekers’ steamed forward and laid it off to Noah Okafor who slammed it home with confidence and fearlessness.
There was still time for an Istanbul 2005 like comeback and the Red’s Jeremie Frimpong had a right footed drive in the 64th minute.
Liverpool pulled another goal back in 2nd half injury time with a header from Cody Gakpo.
The miracle was on until Noah Okafor pounced on a mistake from Becker to walk the ball into the back of the net.
AC Milan’s attacking guile and speed owned the night. Perfect and precise attacking pace combined with deadly finishing gave AC Milan a handsome victory.
Would this win change the past? No but it was a firm reminder as to why AC Milan has a long statured history; exquisite play built on the firm foundations of tradition and pride.
With the likes of players such as Alexis Saelemaekers, Noah Okafor, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Rafael Leão, a bright future awaits though why wait; this is AC Milan after all.
Photo by Dennis Lo
