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HKFA Centennial Celebration Match: Hong Kong vs Argentina – 14 October, 2014

The Hong Kong Football Association announced that with the agreement of the Asociación del Fútbol Argentino the star-studded Argentina National Team will play against the Hong Kong National Team on October 14th 2014 at the Hong Kong Stadium, to celebrate the Hong Kong Football Association’s Centenary. Tickets go on sale today.

The Hon. Timothy Fok, President of the HKFA welcomed the Argentines’ arrival saying: We are very excited and honoured to play host to the two-time World Cup champions and runners-up at this year’s World Cup. The team is full of fantastic players who will capture the hearts of every football fan in Hong Kong. The chance to play against one of the world’s best teams is a unique opportunity for our local players and will help us in developing Hong Kong football to an elite international level.

The HKFA has confirmed that the Hong Kong National Team will be the team to play against the Argentina National Team. Brian Leung, Chairman of the HKFA said, “We are proud that we are able to invite such a top team to Hong Kong to celebrate our centennial anniversary. I am looking forward to strong support from local football fans to cheer on our players as they compete against the world’s best.”

The President of AFA, Mr Julio Grondona, described the event saying “For our institution, the Argentine Football Association, it is an honour to have been invited to play in this significant friendly match with the team of Hong Kong under the celebration of its centenary. At the same time, we take this opportunity to congratulate the Football Association of Hong Kong and we are sure that our National Team will offer our best efforts to create an unforgettable experience for all who can be present in the Hong Kong Stadium. In the name of the Executive Committee of the AFA, I send my warm regards and best wishes.”

HKFA CEO Mark Sutcliffe added “The AFA has promised to bring the big names to Hong Kong. Obviously most people will be hoping to see Messi play in Hong Kong but there are many other stars too. Hosting the two-times World Champion is an unbelievable honour for Hong Kong and is a fitting way to celebrate our 100 years.”

HKFA Centennial Celebration Match: Hong Kong vs Argentina
When: 14 October, 2014
Where: Hong Kong Stadium
How much: $1800, $1300, $850, $590, $490 from Cityline.com
More info: www.hkfa.com

Asian Cup 2015, Qualifiers @ HK Stadium – 15 October & 19 November, 2013

Hong Kong’s efforts to qualify for the 2015 Asian Cup continue with two home games against the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan in October and November. Ticket details from www.hkfa.com

What: Asian Cup 2015 Qualifiers – Hong Kong vs UAE
When: 8pm, 15 October, 2013
Where: Hong Kong Stadium

What: Asian Cup 2015 Qualifiers – Hong Kong vs Uzbekistan
When: 8pm, 19 November, 2013
Where: Hong Kong Stadium

How much: $100 for adults and $30 for students and senior citizens.
For more details about the matches and tickets, www.hkfa.com.

Hong Kong Football 2013-14 Season

While many football fans will have their eyes turned towards the television as Europe’s leagues begin their 2013-14 seasons, there’s also a lot of local football to watch and cheer. 49 teams compete across 4 divisions, the Division 1 season kicks off on the 30^th August with 11 teams looking to replace 2013 Champions South China at the top of the table come seasons end. Details of fixtures can be found on the the Hong Kong Football Association website www.hkfa.com which also feature details of junior teams, skills training and for those looking for a challenge a free fantasy HK Football Manager League.

Barclays Asia Trophy 2013

The Barclays Asia Trophy is a four-team pre-season friendly football tournament held this year from the 24 to 27 July 2013 at the Hong Kong Stadium and in Asia every two years and in odd years, to avoid conflicts with the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Football Championship tournaments. The competition is contested by three Premier League football clubs, this year’s boasts Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and the home team, South China, winner of the 2012/2013 Hong Kong First Division League.

The semi-finals took place on 24 July 2013, but with torrential rain and extremely poor conditions as the pitch turned into a mud bath, the games were played over 80 minutes, rather than the usual 90 minutes. In the first game, Sunderland beat Tottenham Hotspur 3–1 to proceed to the final. Manchester City defeated South China 1–0 in the other semi-final.

Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore, said: “We are hugely excited at the Premier League to be bringing the Barclays Asia Trophy back to Hong Kong for a third time. The 2011 tournament was without doubt our most successful to date and the atmosphere inside the Hong Kong Stadium on both nights was particularly memorable. I believe we are bringing to the Barclays Asia Trophy Hong Kong our strongest ever line-up of teams. In Manchester City, we have the Barclays Premier League runner up taking part. Tottenham Hotspur play the exciting attacking brand of football that makes the Premier League the most watched league in the world, while Paolo Di Canio ahead of his first full season in the Barclays Premier League is sure to bring a tough Sunderland side to Hong Kong. “They are clubs of outstanding pedigree and history who represent the best of the Barclays Premier League: they have some of the world’s best footballers, they are winners and they also have many fans in Hong Kong that they are looking forward to entertaining.”

Andre Villas-Boas, Tottenham Hotspur Head Coach said: “We’re delighted to have the chance to play in the Barclays Asia Trophy, a tournament the Club won when we last took part, in 2009. Over recent years we have seen a significant increase in our fan base across Asia and this tournament provides us with an excellent opportunity to give something back to our supporters in Asia. The tournament is made that much more special for us by the participation of South China FC, a close partner of ours with whom we enjoy a fantastic relationship.”

Mark Sutcliffe, CEO of the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) hopes that local football fans had a good time enjoying the talent on display by the Premier League teams. “The HKFA is proud and honoured to be hosting the 2013 Barclays Asia Trophy,” he said. “When the event was in Hong Kong in 2011 it was hugely popular and a very exciting tournament. The 2013 competition proved to be even more entertaining and to have two of the top five teams in arguably the best league in the world – Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur – playing in Hong Kong is a rare privilege and the third team, Sunderland, proved to be a big draw with their passionate new manager”. South China chairman Steven Lo added “Football in Hong Kong is undergoing a revival at present and it was a real thrill for local fans.” It was South China’s second appearance in the competition, having made their debut when the tournament first came to Hong Kong six years ago and it is especially meaningful to South China fans that we can meet our club partner Tottenham Hotspur again in the match here,”

The Barclays Asia Trophy 2013 is the competition’s sixth edition, with the five previous Premier League Asia Trophy competitions having been played in Kuala Lumpur in 2003, Bangkok in 2005, Hong Kong in 2007, Beijing in 2009 and Hong Kong again in 2011.

What: Barclays Asia Trophy
When: 24, 27 July, 2013 – Wednesday: 6pm, Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland; 8:30pm, Manchester City v South China; Saturday: 6pm, Third place play-off; 8:30pm, Final
Where: Hong Kong Stadium
How much: Wednesday: $500, $350, $300, $250; Saturday: $600, $450, $400, $300 from www.cityline.com

Barclays Asia Trophy 2013 @ HK Stadium – 24 July 2013

Amongst local football fans, the highly anticipated Barclays Asia Trophy 2013 – which also marks the the countdown to the start of the new season – kicks-off today with matches between Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland at 6pm and Hong Kong Champions South China v Manchester City. There are limited tickets onsale at the stadium box office.

Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland – Kick-off 6pm
Manchester City v South China – Kick-off 8:30pm

What: Barclays Asia Trophy 2013
When: 24 July, 2013
Where: HK Stadium
How Much: $500, $350, $300, $250, $150

Barclays Asia Trophy 2013 – 24, 27 July, 2013

The provisional squads for the Barclays Asia Trophy have been announced and they’re packed full of talented footballers, household names, new arrivals and new managers – although sadly Spurs new Brazilian signing Paulinho won’t be making the trip. It promises to be a fascinating tournament. Tickets for finals day have sold out, but a few remain for the 24th.

Tottenham Hotspur – Manager: Andre Villas-Boas
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris, Brad Friedel, Heurelho Gomes.
Defenders: Kyle Walker, Kyle Naughton, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Jan Vertonghen, Michael Dawson, Steven Caulker, Younes Kaboul, Daniel Rose.
Midfielders: Aaron Lennon, Andros Townsend, Gareth Bale, Tom Huddlestone, Mousa Dembele, Sandro Cordeiro, Scott Parker, Jake Livermore, Tom Carroll, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Lewis Holtby.
Forwards: Clint Dempsey, Jermain Defoe, Emmanuel Adebayor.

Manchester City – Manager: Manuel Pellegrini
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, Costel Pantilimon, Richard Wright, Eirik Johansen
Defenders: Pablo Zabaleta, Maicon, Micah Richards, Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott, Matija Nastasic, Dedryck Boyata, Gaël Clichy, Aleksandar Kolarov, Shay Facey
Midfielders: Fernandinho, James Milner, Samir Nasri, Scott Sinclair, Javi García, David Silva, Jack Rodwell, Gareth Barry, Yaya Touré, Abdul Razak, Emyr Huws
Forwards: Denis Suarez, Jesus Navas, Sergio Agüero, Edin Dzeko, Alex Nimely, John Guidetti, Devante Cole
Manchester City have produced a media guide for fans about the club, players and their summer tour, you can download it here http://www.mcfc.co.uk/cityontour

Sunderland – Manger: Paolo Di Canio
Goalkeepers: Vito Mannone, Jordan Pickford, Kieren Westwood
Defenders: Wes Brown, Carlos Cuellar, Modibo Diakite, Valentin Roberge, John O’Shea
Midfielders: El-Hadji Ba, Cabral, Jack Colback, Craig Gardner, Adam Johnson, Sebastian Larsson, James McClean, David Moberg Karlsson, Alfred N’Diaye, David Vaughan
Forwards: Jozy Altidore, Danny Graham, Ji Dong-won, Mikael Mandron, Stephane Sessegnon,Connor Wickham

Barclays Asia Trophy 2013 @ HK Stadium – 24 & 27 July 2013

Tickets for the tournament featuring Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Sunderland and South China, the 2012/13 champions of the Hong Kong First Division League, go onsale on the 31 May 2013 from Cityline.

Wednesday 24 July 2013
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland – Kick-off 6pm
Manchester City v South China – Kick-off 8:30pm

Saturday 27 July 2013
3rd v 4th play-off – Kick-off 6pm
Final – Kick-off 8:30pm

What: Barclays Asia Trophy 2013
When: 24, 27 July, 2013
Where: HK Stadium
How Much:
Wednesday 24 July 2013 – $500, $350, $300, $250, $150
Saturday 27 July 2013 – $600, $450, $400, $300, $200
Tickets from www.cityline.com

International Soccer Sevens 24-26th May 2013

International Soccer Sevens 24-26^th May 2013
While Football Sevens doesn’t roll quite so smoothly off the tongue, the beautiful game has firmly embraced the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens, which returns this weekend to once again display future talent and past greats in another giddy amalgamation of sport and entertainment.
What started as bit of end-of-season fun fourteen years ago has evolved into a fiercely competitive tournament. Stars of the future play in anonymity and stars of the past showcase in person the silky skills admired and cheered from afar.
This year again sees both local and international, UK giants like Manchester City, defending champions Newcastle United and Glasgow Rangers will all be in attendance competing for silverware and a year of solid bragging rights. While local clubs including the HKFA Dragons, Kowloon Cricket Club and a Yau Yee League select will be looking for their moment in the sun with victories against a big name.
Taking place over 3 days, the action is spread between two separate tournaments. The main event sees 16 teams putting forth their best and brightest to fight it out with just enough good nature to keep the event family-friendly (though some obligatory ear-covering may be necessary). While in the Masters section there’s the unique opportunity to see some of the games legends up-close and personal. Still operating with the kind of skill and command of the game that you would expect from past greats such as Teddy Sheringham, Arthur Numan, Jari Litmanen, Darren Anderton, Peter Beardsley, and Aron Vinter, (ignoring the fact that a few shirt sizes may have been upgraded) it’s thrilling and competitive soccer and a true testament to the draw the event has.
If football’s not your thing or the kids need a breather there’s a family fun zone filled with all kinds of games, entertainment and other brightly-coloured whimsy to keep the little ones happy.
The first match kicks off at 7pm on Friday 24^th May, with the final at 7pm Sunday 26^th May

What: Soccer Sevens
When: 24-26 May, 2013 – Friday: 7pm start, Saturday: 9am start, Sunday: 8am start
Where: HK Football Club
How much: Friday: Free, Saturday, Sunday: $160/day, Weekend pass $300
Enquiries: www.hksoccersevens.com