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Stars go to China for soccer tournament

HEADING EAST: Free State Stars vice-captain Paulos Masehe, right, is ch a llenged by a Bloemfontein Celtic player during their Absa Premiership derby last season Photo: Gallo Images
HEADING EAST: Free State Stars vice-captain Paulos Masehe, right, is ch a llenged by a Bloemfontein Celtic player during their Absa Premiership derby last season Photo: Gallo Images

THE 2012-13 Absa Premiership soccer season may have ended, but Free State Stars are not resting as yet.

Ea Lla Koto are going to China where they will participate in an international soccer tournament in Shanghai as part of their plans to build the profile of the club.

Stars, who finished the season seventh on the log, will leave for Shanghai on Saturday.

The games will be played at various venues in China.

A total of six clubs will take part in this five-day tournament organised by Shanghai Football Association to promote their city.

Three soccer giants in China, including Shanghai Shenhua, have confirmed their participation.

Shanghai Shenxin and SIPF FC will also compete in the tournament. South Korea will be represented by two clubs in Daejeon and Gyeongnam.

Stars general manager Rantsi Mokoena said the tournament was a great platform to expose some of their youngsters to international soccer.

"It is such a great honour for us to be invited to this annual tournament, which is one of the biggest international events on the soccer calender in China in June.

"We have a number of youngsters in the team, and going to China will expose them to international soccer.

"Our players are aware that there is no pressure, they must go out there and enjoy but always remember to be great South African ambassadors.

"There is a big market in China, we are going there on a two- pronged mission. We will also use the visit to forge relations aimed at promoting our profile as a club in China."

Stars vice-captain Paulos Masehe said: "It's a nice way to end the season by going to China, we have many youngsters who have never been out of South Africa."

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