It’s no holiday for star arrivals

MANCHESTER City are supposed to be in serious preseason mode on the Gold Coast although captain Vincent Kompany almost committed a football faux pas yesterday.

The Belgium international defender was speaking at a media conference before tonight’s trial match between the English giants and sister club Melbourne City at Cbus Super Stadium.

Kompany was commenting on the global popularity of the English Premier League clubs and how recognisable players were no matter what country they were in.

“You couldn’t pick a further place from home (for a friendly pre-season match),” he said. “But the level that (English) Premier League reaches is incredible.

“You go on holidays in Congo, or you go on holiday in America, or you go on holidays, err, training camp in Australia and every single time people will know what you’ve done in our world of Manchester (City).”

With the City squad on a training program of three ses- sions a day over nine days Kompany has had little time to sample the delights of Australia’s tourist capital.

Asked if he would go out and party after tonight’s match, Kompany replied: “I don’t know. Is it a good (party) scene?

“I’m interested in seeing the surfers, to be honest. I’ve heard a lot about it and I want to see surfers – and sharks.”

Melbourne City captain Patrick Kisnorbo best put things in perspective heading into perhaps the biggest game of his career, even if it is a preseason practice match.

“We’re very privileged to be up against one of the best sides in the world, against the best players in the world and it’ll be a great test,” Kisnorbo said.

“A lot of our players probably (get to) see them on TV or FIFA (a video game) and to be playing against them on the Gold Coast we’re very lucky, very privileged and hopefully it’ll be a good spectacle for everyone.”