The fixture, originally scheduled for last night, had to be moved as the Argentinians didn’t arrive in the Island until two hours before kick-off.Boca had a nightmare 48-hour journey from Buenos Aires which saw them arrive in Gatwick early on Wednesday afternoon but not reach Jersey until 5.30 last night.In between they spent nine hours sitting in the departure lounge at Gatwick while they waited for the fog to clear and were not relocated to a hotel until 2 am.Iain Mackenzie of tournament organisers Sporting Eventualities said that Boca chose not to play the match last night as the players’ preparation was far from ideal.’Having travelled all the way from Argentina, spent nine hours in departures at Gatwick and not getting to bed until 2 am the players were shattered,’ he said.’When they arrived in the Island they hadn’t had a proper meal and they were dead on their feet.
They did a very light training session, just to have a loosener.’They are a professional club and players at that level are not going to risk anything.
It’s going to be a competitive match against Benfica.
They’ve got a reputation, they want to win the tournament so they want to give their best.’As tournament organisers it’s not the best but as organisers we also want the best for the teams so we leave decisions like this to them.’They’re really nice people.
They were very impressed with the Island and how friendly people were.
Their first impressions have been very positive.
I think it will be an excellent game this afternoon.’People with tickets for the Benfica v Boca Juniors match have several alternatives: They can either use them for this afternoon’s re-scheduled match, change them for another game in the tournament or collect a complete refund from the ticket was bought.Straight after this afternoon’s game Manchester United bid for their second victory, having beaten Benfica 3-2 on Wednesday night, against Glasgow Celtic.
Kick-off is at 7.30.Meanwhile the kick-off time for tomorrow’s game between Celtic and Benfica has been moved from 2.30 pm to 4 pm.
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