Hong Kong Sevens 2015 – Teams Announced

New-Zealand-7s-captain-DJ-Forbes

As the Sevens turns 40, the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) have announced details of the format and participating teams at the 2015 Hong Kong Sevens. 2015 which takes place from March 27-29 at the Hong Kong Stadium.

The defending champions New Zealand will be joined by the other 14 core teams on the Sevens World Series: Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Japan, Kenya, Portugal, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, United States of America and Wales.

The sixteenth team invited by World Rugby to round out the SWS core competition is Belgium who will be making their first appearance in Hong Kong. They become the 57th nation to have participated at the Sevens since the tournament’s inception in 1976.

As last year, a 12-team qualifying competition will accompany the core team action at the Hong Kong Stadium. The 12 teams, comprising two teams from each of World Rugby’s six regions, will be battling for the sole spot available for promotion to the Sevens World Series in the 2015/2016 season. The winner of the qualifier will replace the bottom placed team on the HSBC Sevens World Series after the completion of the final event on this year’s Series at Twickenham in May.

The twelve confirmed teams for the qualifier tournament are Russia and Spain from Europe, Papua New Guinea and Tonga from Oceania, Zimbabwe and Tunisia from Africa, Mexico and Guyana from the Americas and Uruguay and Brazil from South America.

Hong Kong as champions of the Asian Rugby Football Union’s regional sevens series in 2014, will be joined by South Korea as Asia’s representatives in the qualifier competition. 2013 Asian sevens champions Japan were victorious in last year’s international qualifier and are participating in the core Sevens World Series this season.

The official tournament draw for all 28 participating teams will be held in Hong Kong on February 16, 2015.

This year, Friday will see two rounds of the qualification pool matches played alongside the opening pool matches of the SWS core competition (one match per core team). Gates will be opened one hour earlier at 11am with the first kick-off at 1pm and matches finishing at 9pm.

Saturday sees the world’s best rugby sevens action taking place from 7am (first kick off at 9am) until 7:30pm while Sunday’s match action will kick off at 9:30am (gates open 7am).

Additional reporting HKRFU

Hong Kong 0-7 Argentina @ HK Stadium – 14 October, 2014

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A second string Argentinean team barely got above walking pace as they out-classed a hard working Hong Kong side in the HKFA’s Centenary Match. A crowd of 20,000+ got what they came for though when Lionel Messi dazzled in a 30 minute cameo that had the crowd roaring in delight. Messi scored two goals – the first a lovely twisting run through the heart of HK’s defence – and set up a third to bring the enthusiastic crowd to life.

In truth it wasnt a great game, the gulf in class just too big – but Hong Kong could and should have scored on the counter-attack. In bringing his star names of the bench to entertain in the last 30 minutes, the fans were entertained and left happy. What more can you want from a friendly!

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Click on the photos to see more

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Hong Kong Squad for Friendlies against Singapore and Argentina

Hong Kong’s squad for tonight’s international friendly against Singapore and Tuesday’s HK Football Association Centenary game against Argentina is announced. Match details below

Goalkeepers WANG Zhenpeng (Kitchee), YAPP Hung Fai (Eastern)
Defenders LEE Chi Ho (Eastern), Wisdom Fofo AGBO (Harbin Yiteng), NAEGELEIN Andy Hannes Ling Fung (Hunan Xiangtao F.C.), CHEUNG Kin Fung (Kitchee), CHAN Wai Ho, KWOK Kin Pong, SEALY, Jonathan Jack (South China), LEUNG Kwun Chung (YFCMD)
Midfielders HUANG Yang, LAM Ka Wai, LO Kwan Yee (Kitchee), CHAN Siu Kwan Philip, LEUNG Chun Pong (South China), JU Yingzhi (Sun Pegasus), WONG Wai (YFCMD)
Forwards LAM Hok Hei (Rangers), Christian Kwesi ANNAN, XU Deshuai (Kitchee), CHAN Man Fai (Sun Pegasus), CHAN Siu Ki, LEE Wai Lim (South China)

Match Details:

Hong Kong v Singapore
Where: Mong Kok
When: 8pm, 10 October, 2014
How Much:
More info: www.hkfa.org

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

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

HKFA Centennial Celebration Match: Hong Kong vs Argentina

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

Asian Cup 2015, Qualifiers @ HK Stadium - 15 October & 19 November, 2013Hong 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.

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
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
Tottenham Hotspur Manager Andre Villas-Boas