Beijing to host French soccer tournament

Soccer stars will continue to shine in China after the Brazil World Cup with the prestigious Trophée des Champions confirmed for Beijing on Aug 2, the organizer said.

An annual tournament under the French Football Association, the 2014 Trophée des Champions will feature a matchup between Paris Saint-Germain, winner of the 2013-14 Ligue 1, and En Avant Guingamp, another Ligue 1 club which won the 2014 Coupe de France Final.

International stars who have just played in the World Cup, including Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani, Brazilian centerback Thiago Silva and Argentinean wingman Ezequiel Iván Lavezzi, as well as Swedish national captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, will compete in the match at Workers’ Stadium.

This will be the sixth consecutive year the competition has taken place on soil outside France, and its first time in Asia.

As part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Sino-French ties, the match is expected to ignite the passion of Chinese fans for French soccer while boosting soccer exchanges between the countries, said Frederic Thiriez, president of Ligue de Football Professionnel.

“The match will continue the momentum of soccer fever after the World Cup to excite the Chinese fans. It will also provide a valuable chance for Chinese fans to watch their idols close-up,” said Yang Junsheng, general secretary of the Beijing Football Association.

To cater to Chinese fans, PSG will host open training sessions and fan-appreciation activities after they land in Beijing on July 30, the organizing committee said.

Chinese drinking water brand, Tibet Glacial Water, will support the match as the title sponsor.