Man U & Spurs In Singapore For ICC 2019

This summer, English Premier League clubs Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, together with Italian Serie A sides Juventus and Inter Milan, are the four teams that will be coming to Singapore this year – for the third edition of the International Champions Cup (ICC) in July.

This is according to Relevent Sports Group, the owner and operator of the ICC.

Media Launch Event Yesterday

Together with the event’s presenting sponsors, AIA, Relevent Sports Group had shared this news to members of the media and the guests present at the official launch event – which was held yesterday morning at The Incubator in Esplanade Park.

Said Charlie Stilltano, Executive Chairman of Relevent Sports Group, “We are very pleased to bring the ICC to Singapore again. The event is the only platform for fans in the region to get up close to their favourite teams.”

He continued “Manchester United, Inter, Juventus and Tottenham are clubs with strong support in the region and we believe that the fans will be happy to see them in action.”

Two-Match Format Over Weekend Of 20 And 21 July

In a new-look format, the two-match, four-team format will be held over a single weekend, on 20 and 21 July, promising both local and travelling football fans, a truly spectacular footballing treat, with both games being played at Singapore’s National Stadium.

The two games in Singapore will pit Man United against Inter and Tottenham against Juventus.

Said Melissa Ow, Deputy Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, “With some of the biggest names in European football joining us for the International Champions Cup this year, Singapore will become an even more attractive destination for sports fans this July.”

She added, “As the only South East Asian stop of the ICC, we look forward to welcoming football fans from around the region, and aim to provide a memorable experience for our visitors that goes beyond the pitch.”

A Long Awaited Return For Man United And Tottenham

The ICC will be a long awaited return to the city-state for the two Premier League sides.

And also, it will be their first appearance at the new National Stadium – after Tottenham graced the old Kallang Stadium in 1995 and Fabien Barthez’s cameo for Man United in 2001.

Legends Represented Their Clubs At Launch

Representing the four Singapore-bound clubs during the launch event had been legends Dwight Yorke (Man United), Francesco Toldo (Inter), Fabrizio Ravanelli (Juventus) and Teddy Sheringham (Tottenham) who are all eager to be back in Singapore for the ICC.

Clubs Hope To Connect With Singaporean Fans

Said Yorke, “One of our biggest fanbases in the world is in Asia, so coming to Singapore is a great advantage to us. We aspire to connect with our fans as well as putting on a good tournament by getting our top boys to come out and compete against other top European clubs.”

And just like Yorke, Sheringham also sees the tournament as a great way for their club fanbase living in this region, to have an opportunity to get up close and personal to their idols.

He said “When you see the matches on TV, it feels fake, but when you meet the players in the flesh and ask for selfies and autographs, it is a big thing to these fans. It also helps the club to expand too and gives us great exposure.”

Tottenham Headed In The Correct Direction

And added Sheringham, “While it may sound like a tough game for us against Juventus, it is great for Tottenham to have the opportunities to be playing against these fantastic clubs.”

He continued, “We are aspiring to become one of them someday, and so far, everyone is delighted about how things are progressing for us and we feel that we are heading in the right direction. Exposure and games like this can only help us grow.”

With Tottenham having just opened the doors to their new stadium two days ago, together with their progress in the quarter finals of the Champions League, these further add to Sheringham’s confidence about the North London club’s trajectory.

Man United’s Solskjaer’s Doing A Great Job

Likewise, for Man United, Yorke is also happy with the current progress of the club in the English Premier League and the Champions League as well as the performance of interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – and added that he is doing a fantastic job in his position.

Said Yorke, “The current interim one is doing a great job and we need to look no further. There is no rush to make a decision – the team is playing with energy and passion in matches and I think we can wait till the end of the season. He is performing above and beyond anyone’s expectations.”

He continued “Likewise, in the Champions League, we are playing a team that we are familiar with (Barcelona) but facing them will be a difficult challenge. Nonetheless, at this stage, we have to have a positive mindset but I know that the players have what it takes to stay in the game.. After all, that is what we did against Paris Saint-Germain.”

Opening Game Puts Man United Against Inter

The opening game kicks off on Saturday 20 July between Man United and Inter – this marks a decade since the two sides clashed in the last eight of the Champions League.

It is also Inter’s second appearance at the National Stadium in Singapore, with the Italians having triumphed over Chelsea to be crowned champions of the ICC in Singapore in 2017.

Said Inter’s Toldo, “We love Singapore and playing in the hot weather here – the cold is an issue for us, but not the heat. This is also a great opportunity for us to show the new players and new coaches the team dynamics before the beginning of the season.”

Concludes With Juventus Playing Tottenham

And then, rounding off the weekend of football, will be Juventus vs. Tottenham on Sunday 21 July, in a rematch of last season’s Champions League Round of 16 meeting between the sides where Inter had emerged triumphant.

This too, is the second time that Juventus are returning to Singapore, having graced the National Stadium with their presence in 2014 when they played the first-ever match there, against a Singapore Select XI in 2014.

Said Juventus’ Ravanelli, “This is not the first time that we are in Singapore and that is important because we are constantly expanding, not only technically, but also in terms of improving our knowledge of this part of the world. It is also a great chance for us to get to know Singapore and we are very pleased to be here.”

Tickets On Sale From 4 April