More than 155,000 fans will have flocked to see English Premier League powerhouses Spurs and Chelsea in Sydney, further proof of football’s surging popularity in Australia.
An estimated 84,000 fans are set to cram into ANZ Stadium tomorrow night (Tuesday) to see the newly-crowned and star-studded EPL champs Chelsea take on local Hyundai A-League side Sydney FC.
The Chelsea clash comes just three days after their London EPL rivals Tottenham Hotspur attracted more than 71,500 fans to ANZ Stadium for their clash with Sydney FC.
Kane-train sees Spurs steam past Sky Blues
An entertaining match was decided by Harry Kane’s first-half goal, much to the delight of the supporters, who drooled over the English rising star’s every touch.
“There was great support and great atmosphere,” Kane said after the game.
Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea are also set to put on a show for the supporters in Sydney.
‘‘We feel the responsibility of playing our best players. We feel the responsibility of trying to win, and giving everyone a good experience that comes to watch us, which is what we are going to try to do,” Mourinho said on Sunday at a packed press conference with the iconic Opera House as backdrop.
“You cannot lose, you cannot just play for fun, you have to go for a result.
“We are still celebrating [the EPL title] yes, we are already thinking about next season yes, but Tuesday is our last game of the season as a club.
“We want to compete, we want to try and give a good show,” he added.
“It’s very important for us as a club, it’s been a very long time [41 years] since Chelsea has been here and to come just a week after we are champions is even a bigger responsibility for us.”
Mourinho names front-three as Chelsea land in Sydney
Proving the Blues’ popularity Down Under, the players were given a rock star reception on arrival into Sydney on Sunday.
Hundreds of fans were on hand at Sydney Airport to greet their heroes, desperate to get an autograph or selfie with the players.
“It was overwhelming [to see that reception],” Chelsea skipper John Terry said.
“We got mobbed a bit. But we’re delighted to be here after such a long time. It’s going to be huge.”
GALLERY: Mourinho and Chelsea FC in Sydney!
But for EPL fans, the fun continues next month when Liverpool play two games against Hyundai A-League opposition.
And in mid-July the International Champions Cup will be hosted by the MCG featuring Real Madrid, Manchester City and AS Roma.
*Fans in Sydney have a chance to get up close to their Chelsea heroes tonight (Monday), with the club to conduct an open training session at ANZ Stadium from 6pm.
