Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany and
Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw have
apologised to fans after their International
Champions Cup game in Beijing was cancelled.
The game was called off 12 hours before kickoff
because of concerns about the state of the pitch at
the Bird's Nest Stadium.
The Chinese capital has been hit by storms in
recent days and after another significant
downpour overnight, the ICC and both clubs
decided to call off the match because of worries
about player safety.
Thousands of fans were already gathering outside
the Bird's Nest Stadium to see what would have
been the first ever Manchester derby outside
Britain.
Full statement on today's Manchester derby
cancellation in Beijing: https://t.co/zmob4TVFTf
#mcfc #cityontour pic.twitter.com/935wcIlXH5
- Manchester City (@ManCity) July 25, 2016
Kompany said: "It's sad for us, it's sad for our
fans. Obviously it's disappointing because we
looked forward to playing a derby in Beijing for a
long time.
"We had our groundsman working for 10 days on
the pitch, but the conditions were just too
dangerous for the players.
"It's sad to call it off, but I think mainly we want
to thank all the fans for their passion, for the way
they've received us in Beijing since we've been
here.
"It's a big disappointment for us. There are things
in life that you don't control and, as we say in
Manchester, we just get on with it, and I think it
builds up for the next time we come around for
an even bigger event."
A message from @LukeShaw23 following today's
cancelled game... #MUTOUR https://t.co/
vDe9fTpfn7
- Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 25, 2016
United defender Shaw said: "Hi guys, just a little
message from me to say how sorry we are that
the game has been called off.
"Obviously I know you are all disappointed, but as
players we are all very disappointed too.
"We come out here to play in front of all of you
fans, we know how much you love us all. We love
playing in front of you lot.
"We are so sorry. If we could change it ... we
want to play right now. But that's the final
decision and we can't play.
"Hopefully we will see you all soon. Thank you."
City now fly to Shenzhen for another ICC Cup
match with German side Borussia Dortmund while
United will fly back to England.
"We have to get on with it, we move on to
Shenzhen, and I'm sure we'll have plenty of time
to get some good game-time in and obviously see
our fans over there," Kompany added.
"It's been a special experience and everything in
China has been greater than life itself almost, it's
been a truly a unique experience and it's hard to
put it into words when a big event like this is not
happening, but I do feel it's not the last time we
will come to Beijing.
"If we're patient, like Chinese people are, then
good things will come around again and we'll be
here again."
The City captain would not have featured against
United as he continues his recovery from a groin
injury.
But he is looking forward to seeing Pep
Guardiola's impact on the side in the game
against Dortmund after the new manager took
over at the beginning of the summer.
"I might be watching it from a distance still at the
moment, but there's a lot to learn out of games
like this, so I'm looking forward to it," he added.
Posted Africa News Sports
Chapisha Maoni