Łukasz Fabiański and Pablo Fornals joined hundreds of Hammers at a special pre-match event at Optus Stadium in Perth on Friday.
The West Ham United duo were given a rousing reception as they were introduced by host JaackMaate and joined Club ambassadors Carlton Cole and Richard Garcia on stage in the stadium’s Sports Lounge, which was specially branded in Claret and Blue to make the fans feel welcome.
Supporters from across Australia and beyond serenaded their heroes with choruses of ‘Bubbles’, ‘West Ham are Massive’ and other traditional terrace favourites.
For Fornals, it has already been a special experience being Down Under.
“It is a beautiful place!” smiled the No8, who is assured cult status after scoring West Ham’s memorable UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final winner in Alkmaar in May. “We’ve had a couple of days here already and are adapting well to being in Australia.
“It was an amazing feeling being in the training pitch and seeing all our supporters. When you play for a team like West Ham, you know you have supporters all around the world, and to see them at the airport, at the hotel and at training and again here at the stadium is a fantastic feeling.
“You can see what it means to the people for us to be here, and the feeling is mutual. We are so happy to see so many fans here in Australia.”
The first-team duo both told fans how this is their first visit to Australia, and that they are hoping manager David Moyes gives them free time to see the sights of the capital of Western Australia, with 1999 FA Youth Cup winner Garcia recommending a trip to Rottnest Island to meet the famous quokka.
The quartet then took part in entertaining Q&A, during which goalkeeper Fabiański revealed he saved Saïd Benrahma’s spot-kicks in training before the Algerian scored a vital penalty in the UEFA Europa Conference League final victory over ACF Fiorentina in June!
Fornals was asked who he would avoid sitting next to on a long-haul flight, and the Spanish midfielder revealed that Danny Ings and Aaron Cresswell kept him awake with the banter and playing card games!
Talk then turned to food, with Fabiański admitting he misses Pierogi Polish Dumplings and Garcia telling the players and supporters to sample Australia’s famous Tim Tam chocolate biscuits.
Both players received a round of applause as they departed for their nearby Crown Towers hotel for dinner ahead of Saturday’s Unmissable Football fixture with A-League side Perth Glory at Optus Stadium.
And outside the Sports Bar, fans were able to see how the venue has been transformed from hosting Australian Rules Football last weekend to welcome West Ham and Glory this as they made their way into the Perth night.
