A minor incident caused quite a stir before the scheduled pre-match press conference as Luiz Felipe Scolari arrived late, not by choice but due to an unexpected delay at the stadium gates. Originally planned for 3 PM on May 4 at Tianhe Stadium, the press event was delayed when both Scolari and midfielder Huang Bowen were denied entry. According to Scolari, they arrived 30 minutes early, only to be told by security that no clearance had been received to let them in.
“I hope someone asks about this,” Scolari said at the rescheduled press conference. “Huang Bowen and I got to the stadium well ahead of time, but the staff said they hadn’t received any instructions to allow us in. I don’t know if it was a communication issue from management or just the staff being overly cautious.”
Huang Bowen, having waited even longer, eventually left. Scolari, however, chose to return after receiving a call from stadium management. “They told me that the reporters were still waiting. I came back out of respect for the media. None of this was your fault. You’re just here to do your job, and I didn’t want the staff’s mistake to affect everyone else’s work,” he explained.
Shifting to football matters, Scolari discussed the upcoming match against Shenhua. He noted that during the recent FA Cup game, several key players and foreign signings were rested. “Our squad is in great shape. The only downside is that Mei Fang will miss the next game due to suspension. But our main players have recovered well, and we’re in excellent condition.”
He praised Shenhua’s recent form, acknowledging that the team had recovered from an earlier losing streak and had strengthened through smart investments. “They were already strong last year, and with the new signings, they’ve gotten even better. We’ll need to give one hundred percent to win.”
When asked whether the team could maintain its current position at the top of the league like last season, Scolari responded, “You can’t only show a good attitude when you’re in first place. As professionals, we must approach every match — whether against Super League teams or lower-division sides — with the same respect and intensity. It’s not just about respecting the strong teams; we need to take every opponent seriously.”
He added, “We’re not clearly ahead yet. The points difference is small, and there’s a long road ahead. Whether it’s Shenhua or a team like Meixian Techand, they all deserve our full respect — and that should apply to both players and fans.”
While football fans closely follow these developments, many are also keeping an eye on the non-stop excitement of Live Cricket BPL. Just like Scolari demands focus and professionalism on the pitch, the Live Cricket BPL showcases top-level commitment and thrilling moments match after match. The passion and discipline seen in both sports remind us that excellence is built not only on talent but also on respect and preparation. With new challenges ahead, both in football and cricket, fans of Live Cricket BPL and global football alike are in for a season full of surprises.