Tag: Football

Soccer Sevens Cancelled

The 2020 edition of the HKFC Soccer Sevens scheduled for 22-24 May has been canceled due to the ongoing issues in Hong Kong.

Tournament director Chris Plowman said “the difficulty in securing the necessary commitments to be able to deliver an event of the scale and quality that is expected of the Soccer Sevens” left the organising committee no alternative.

Plowman continued “Naturally we are very disappointed and we would like to thank all the teams, sponsors, stakeholders and fans who had committed to the 2020 event. We will be back in 2021,”

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2019/HK-Soccer-Sevens-HK-Football-Club-18-May-2019/i-KXsGgZx

Images: HK Soccer Sevens

Newcastle United Win Twentieth Anniversary Soccer Sevens

Captain Owen Bailey scored an extra-time winner as Newcastle United defended their HKFC Soccer Sevens title defeating Scotland’s Rangers 4-3 in a thrilling final at Hong Kong Football Club on Sunday.

In a repeat of the 2018 final, Rangers raced into a two-goal lead at half-time courtesy of a brace from Andrew Dallas only for Bailey and Luke Charman to restore parity.

Elias Sorensen completed the comeback for Newcastle from the penalty spot only for Rangers’ Josh McPake to force extra-time, setting the scene for Bailey’s dramatic winner to hand Newcastle a third title.

“We’re really happy because we’ve worked really hard over the weekend, defended really well and I think we’ve got the result we deserve,” said Bailey, who was also part of the triumphant 2018 team.

“At 2-0 down at half-time it didn’t seem like we had much chance because it’s so hard to score in these kind of games, but we got two goals, we got the job done and we’ve won it again.

“I can’t remember much about the goal, it just came back to me and I thought I’d have a go; thankfully it went in and we got the result we wanted.”

Newcastle, who also won the title in 2012, had earlier beaten Portugal’s Portimonense in the last eight and Hong Kong’s Kitchee in the semi-finals as Ben Dawson’s side posted an unbeaten record from their six games.

Rangers were forced to settle for a fourth runner-up finish having also lost in extra-time to Newcastle in 2018 despite earlier beating two-time champions Leicester City and West Ham United in the knockout stage.

“We started the game so well and missed a few chances to kill it, and losses of concentration then affected us,” said Rangers captain Cameron Palmer.

“But we’ve done so well this tournament so we’ve got to be proud of ourselves and hold our heads up high. We’re devastated but we just need to focus, not let it bring us down and look ahead to next year.”

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Two-time runners-up Wallsend Boys Cub, meanwhile, won the Masters title for the first time after beating Citi All Stars 2-1 after extra-time in the final following a brace from striker Craig Dundas.

“I feel elated! With the team being in the final twice and not winning it, it was really time to bring it home and it feels really good,” said Dundas, who was making his debut in the tournament.

“To get the two goals is a beautiful feeling. A few of the guys are crying so you know how much it means to everyone.”

Debutants Wolverhampton Wanderers, meanwhile, won the Main Shield after beating Leicester 2-1 after extra-time in the final.

And six-time champions Aston Villa won the Main Plate following a 2-0 victory over Hong Kong’s Kerry Yau Yee Select in the final.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2019/HK-Soccer-Sevens-HK-Football-Club-18-May-2019/i-dR6MWkb

Additional reporting and images: HK Soccer Sevens

HK Soccer Sevens @ HK Football Club – 18 May, 2019

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There was plenty of good football, cracking goals and wonderful goal line clearances at the Twentieth Anniversary Hong Kong Soccer Sevens being held at the HK Football Club. bc was there to capture the action.
Click here or on any photo for a full gallery of images.

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Soccer Sevens Celebrates Twenty Anniversary

Seven-a-side football might not have become an Olympic sport and global sensation like it’s rugby namesake, but the Hong Kong Soccer 7s – which celebrates it’s Twentieth Anniversary this year on 17-19 May – has become an important tournament for clubs and players across the globe.

The twentieth tournament sees newcomers Fulham and Portimonense face off in the group stage. The English and Portuguese sides will be joined in Group A by competition regulars West Ham United and local outfit HKFC Captain’s Select for the tournament.

Newcastle United begin the defence of their title, having beaten Rangers in the 2018 final, alongside Brighton & Hove Albion, current AFC Champions League holders Kashima Antlers from Japan and Hong Kong side Yau Yee League Select in Group C.

Six-time winners Aston Villa will go head-to-head with two-time champions Leicester City in Group B in a repeat of the 2017 final, with the duo joined by nine-time Hong Kong champions Kitchee and Singapore Cricket Club.

Finally, in Group D, Rangers return in search of their maiden title against newcomers Wolverhampton Wanderers, HKFA Red Dragons and Hong Kong Football Club in Group D.

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“The group that intrigues me the most is Group A in the Main tournament which sees West Ham, who are always a strong side, and two newcomers in Portimonense and Fulham, so who knows how strong they’ll be,” said HKFC Soccer Sevens Tournament Director Chris Plowman. “They’re going to be going up against our HKFC Captain’s Select team, so if there’s a group of death, I’m guessing that’s the one.

“Leicester and Villa in the same group will be interesting and Kitchee as a local side are always very strong. Singapore Cricket Club have got some tough matches on their hands.”

“It’s wonderful.” said Hong Kong national team coach and former Finland international Mixu Paatelainen “There’s history to this tournament and you can see there are big clubs from England taking part.” Mixu added “the tournament will be valuable for Hong Kong’s youngsters to play against hopefully the future stars of the Premier League.”

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In the Masters tournament, defending champions Discovery Bay have been paired in Group A with two-time winners Citi All Stars, last year’s runners-up Nottingham Forest Mobsters, HKFC Chairman’s Select and Singapore Cricket Club Masters.

In Group B, meanwhile, playonPROS will play competition regulars Wallsend Boys Club, and Hong Kong sides Eleven FC, HKFC Masters and Kowloon Cricket Club Veterans.

“It is a very exciting draw and you can see from the line-up it will be very fierce competition,” said Wayne Fong of sponsors Citi Hong Kong. “We like that the tournament changes every year and invites teams from all over the world to make it more diverse, allowing this tournament to be better and bigger.”

Soccer Sevens
Date: 17-19 May, 2019
Venue: HK Football Club
Tickets: $300 (Weekend pass), $160 (Day ticket), Free (Friday night)
More info:
17 May (Fri): 6 – 9pm; exhibition youth matches start at 4.45pm
18 May (Sat): 9am – 7.40pm
19 May (Sun): 9am – 6pm

Additional reporting and images: HKFA Soccer Sevens

Ching Hang Chun Joins Swansea City Ladies

Hong Kong international midfielder Ching Hang Chun has signed with Swansea City Ladies and will play in the Welsh Premier Women’s League for the three-time champions.

Chun’s transfer from Kitchee SC sees her become the first Hong Kong lady to play professionally in Europe. With 16 caps to her name since making her debut in 2013, Chun was an integral part of Hong Kong’s recent Asian Cup campaign, scoring in a 6-1 victory over Tajikistan.

“It’s a huge honour to be able to join Swansea,” said Chun after putting pen to paper. “The opportunity to play overseas, especially for one of the top teams in Wales, is something that does not happen easily. I am very grateful to everyone that has made this dream come true, especially Ian for giving me a chance.” Chun continued “I can’t wait to work hard, learn and hopefully give a challenge to the other girls.”

 

Kitchee Claim First Ever ACL Win

Kitchee became the first Hong Kong team to win a match in the AFC Champions League when in dramatic fashion with a goal in the 93 minute they beat Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol 1-0 at the Hong Kong Stadium.

Kitchee academy graduate Cheng Chin Lung, an 80th minute substitute, was the hero… Deep in stoppage time the 20 year-old picked up the ball on right side of the penalty area, moved the ball onto his left foot and curled a spectacular shot into the top left hand corner of the net. A goal worthy of an historic achievement.

“I always remember my father’s words: ‘If you do not shoot, you will never score,” said Cheng after the match. “I need to thank him, as he always encourages me to play better and to shoot more.”

Watch the match highlights here

https://youtu.be/zfRrdwyF5X0