Masters Football Asia (MFA) and Castlewood Group announced today that prolific goal scorer, Ian Rush, will feature in The Castlewood Group Liverpool Masters on 15 November. Rush, who holds numerous club records for Liverpool, will take on the role of player-manager for the Liverpool FC Legends and is expected to play in his favoured position, as striker, in their match against the Singapore Ex-Internationals. This will be the first time the Kop legend will play alongside fellow Liverpool FC legends at Jalan Besar Stadium in a 11-a-side full field match.
Fellow Reds legend, Patrik Berger, who joined Liverpool FC after Rush’s second stint at Anfield, and has never played with Rush before, was in Singapore for the announcement. Berger expressed his delight with the news, “Ian is one of my top footballing heroes and I’m excited to be playing alongside him for the first time ever. Many in the Legends team have played Singaporean opponents in previous years’ 6-a-side tournaments so it will be thrilling to see how we fare against Singapore’s legends in a full-field match!”
In acknowledgement of local striker, Aleksandar Duric’s achievements and contribution to Singapore football, MFA and Castlewood Group have also declared that The Castlewood Group Liverpool Masters will serve as Duric’s testimonial game. The 44-year-old is set to retire in November, at the end of the 2014 season. Duric’s 16 years in the S-League has seen him win eight league titles and three Singapore Cups and collect multiple Player of the Year and Top Scorer awards. He also holds the record for the most number of goals (385) scored in the S-League. Duric will also be raising funds for Beyond Social Services.
“I feel sad that I won’t be playing professionally anymore. It’s been a great journey and Singapore has been so kind to me. I am looking forward to closing this chapter of my life and embarking on new adventures. I know I will be very emotional as I walk onto the field for the very last time,” commented Duric about the upcoming match.
Steve Black, Chief Executive Officer, Masters Football Asia, said, “The talent on the field is astounding and could go either way with the likes of Ian Rush, Patrik Berger, Fandi Ahmad and Aleksandar Duric on opposing teams. The Castlewood Group Liverpool Masters will be highly entertaining and emotionally-charged. We are delighted to be able to stage this memorable game for the football-loving community in Singapore.”
The organiser is expecting a full house for the 15 November match with less than 30% of tickets still available.
Chris Comer, Chief Executive Officer and Property Developer, Castlewood Group, said, “Going by ticket sales, it is obvious that The Castlewood Group Liverpool Masters is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever before. We are absolutely delighted that Liverpool icon, Ian Rush has signed up as a player-manager and that the event will serve as a testimonial match for Singapore’s most prolific goal scorer, Aleksandar Duric. The huge increase in Singaporeans’ appetite to attend world-class events of this calibre reinforces my view of a growing opportunity for local businesses to get involved and give back to the community through sports sponsorship.”
Tickets start from $10 and are on sale at www.ticketbooth.com.sg. All ticket holders who purchase their tickets online from 22 July till 11 November, 2014 at 12pm, will get the chance to win once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to dine with the teams, travelling with them on the team buses and even taking their place alongside the players on the respective team benches during the match. All winners will be picked via a lucky draw on November 12th when the Liverpool FC Legends arrive in Singapore (full details below).
The Ultimate Castlewood Experience
Two lucky winners will win the opportunity to:
· Enjoy a pre-match lunch with the Liverpool Legends and Singapore Team
· Travel on the respective team buses to Jalan Besar Stadium for the match
· Enjoy the match alongside the respective teams on their team benches for the entirety of the match
· Access to VIP after party
The Masters Football Asia Experience
Two lucky winners will win a pair of tickets for the opportunity to:
· Enjoy a pre-match lunch with the Liverpool Legends and Singapore Team
· Travel on the respective team buses to Jalan Besar Stadium for the match
Liverpool Legends Team List
Jerzy Dudek, Vladimir Smicer, Stephane Henchoz, Steve McManaman, Steve Harkness, David Thompson, Markus Babbel, Michael Thomas, Phil Babb, Jari Littmanen, Bjorne Tore Kvarme, Robbie Fowler, Patrik Berger, Dietmar Hamann & Ian Rush
Singapore Ex-Internationals Team List
Fandi Ahmad, Steven Tan, V. Sundram Moorthy, Nazri Nasir, Malek Awab, Rafi Ali, Shahri Rahim, Rezal Hassan, Lim Tong Hai, Dalis Supait, S.Subramani, Zulkarnean Zainal, Aide Iskandar, Aleksandar Duric, Nahar Daud & Syed Faruk
More photos of the Press Conference, check out Junpiter Futbol’s Facebook Page.
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