Marlon Harewood scored three goals in two games as Citibank All Stars won both of their opening matches. Photos: Power Sport Images for HKFC.

May 29, 2015: Marlon Harewood announced himself as a new star of the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens as the Citibank All Stars kicked off the Masters Tournament with two wins on Friday night.

Harewood, who only turned 35 last August, scored the winner in the 1-0 win over HKFC Chairman’s Select and then bagged a brace in the 3-0 win over Discovery Bay as Citibank All Stars led Group B with six points. Nottingham Forest Mobsters and SCC Tigers drew 0-0 to share second place on four points after earlier wins.

Wallsend Boys Club and USRC – BTS lived up to their billing as the top two seeds in Group A by winning both of their matches to each rack up six points, five ahead of Kitchee All Stars and HKFC Veterans.

However, Harewood stole the show as the muscular striker showed the power, pace and skill that made him a feared forward for the likes of West Ham United, Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

“I wasn’t expecting anything, just to go out there and help the lads. Jason asked me to come over and get some goals and help them along,” said Harewood, a former teammate of Jason Lee, the team’s manager.

“It’s hard work in this humidity, but it’s good fitness. It’s great that you’ve got so many professionals and ex-professionals all playing together and against each other.”

Citibank All Stars are bidding to win the Cup for the first time and finally live up to expectations heaped upon a team representing the tournament’s title sponsor and organised by England’s PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association).

Frank Sinclair, who scored against Discovery Bay, is again captaining the squad and the former Chelsea full-back let Harewood know of his desire to win a tournament that has eluded the side for the past six years, the team coming closest in 2011 when they reached the final.

“Frank’s come here quite a few times and he said he wants to win it,” said Harewood, who was playing professionally for Hartlepool in the 2014-15 season.

“He’s quite passionate about this tournament and he wants to do really well. I think this year he’s making a statement that he wants to do well and try to win the tournament.”

Lloyd Owusu in action for Wallsend Boys Club in the 1-0 win over HKFC Veterans.

Former Newcastle United stalwart Robbie Elliot scored on his tournament debut as Wallsend Boys Club beat HKFC Veterans 1-0 before the Newcastle-based club beat KCC Veterans by the same scoreline with a goal from English striker Lloyd Owusu, who flew in from Australia with team captain Michael Bridges.

Bridges, who made his tournament debut last year, said the team improved over the two games, as the side bid to finish in the top two of their group to ensure a place in the Cup semi-finals.

“It’s great to start the tournament with two wins. I knew it was going to be tough against the Chairman’s Select – they’re a fit, fit bunch of boys – and we knew what we had to do. We snuck the goal, kept the ball and saved our energy for the next game,” said Bridges, the former Sunderland and Leeds forward.

“I think a lot of new guys by then started to understand the concept of the game because a few haven’t played sevens before, a bit like myself last year. It was good to see in the second game that we understood what each other’s roles were. Two for two is brilliant.

“Citibank look the strongest side in the other group, with guys like Marlon Harewood, Darren Byfield and Frank Sinclair.”

Bridges, 36, admitted that Owusu, 38, was a strong addition to the Wallsend squad, which is only competing in the Soccer Sevens for the second year.

“Me and Lloyd both played in the A-League,” Bridges said. “We’re very close mates, but we’ve never played together before, so it was good to come over with him and it’s great to have a big target man, because that makes a big difference.”

The remaining Masters group games and all the Main pool matches will be held on Saturday, when the action runs from 9.00am-7.40pm on Saturday. All knockout matches and finals will be held on Sunday from 9.00am-6.00pm.

Tickets for the weekend are priced at HK$160 per day or HK$300 for a two-day pass and are available through Cityline (www.cityline.com).

HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens 2015

Results – May 29, 2015

Masters – Group A
Wallsend Boys Club 1-0 HKFC Veterans (Scorer: Wallsend – Robbie Elliot)
USRC – BTS 1-0 KCC Veterans (Scorer: USRC – Andy Mitchell)
Kitchee All Stars 0-0 HKFC Veterans
Wallsend Boys Club 1-0 KCC Veterans (Scorer: Wallsend – Lloyd Owusu)
USRC – BTS 2-0 Kitchee All Stars (Scorer: USRC – Jorginho Rodrigues x 2)

Masters Group B
Citibank All Stars 1-0 HKFC Chairman’s Select (Scorer: Citibank – Marlon Harewood)
Nottingham Forest Mobsters 1-0 Discovery Bay (Scorer: Forest – Brett Ormerod)
SCC Tigers 1-0 HKFC Chairman’s Select (Scorer: SCC – Matt Hulen)
Citibank All Stars 3-0 Discovery Bay (Scorers: Citibank – Marlon Harewood x 2; Frank Sinclair)
Nottingham Forest Mobsters 0-0 SCC Tigers

Main Tournament
Group A: Newcastle United (ENG), Leicester City (ENG), BC Rangers (HKG), Singapore Cricket Club (SIN)
Group B: West Ham United (ENG), Kitchee (HKG), Shanghai SIPG (CHN), HKFC Captain’s Select (HKG)
Group C: Aston Villa (ENG), Wellington Phoenix (NZL), HKFA U-18 (HKG), Hong Kong Football Club (HKG)
Group D: Stoke City (ENG), Atletico Madrid (SPA), HKFA U-20 (HKG), Yau Yee League Select (HKG)

Newcastle United, managed by Peter Beardsley (second right), arrive at Hong Kong Airport for the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens. Photos: Power Sport Images for HKFC.

May 27, 2015: Peter Beardsley said his Newcastle squad have arrived in Hong Kong for this week’s HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens in buoyant mood after watching their first team secure their Premier League status.

Newcastle beat West Ham 2-0 at St James’ Park on the final day of the season to ensure the club will remain in the Premier League for next season, ending months of tension and doubt after a poor run of form.

Beardsley, the club’s Football Development Manager, is again managing Newcastle’s Soccer Sevens squad in Hong Kong and said all his players were in the stands for what proved to be a momentous occasion.

“Everybody here in this group was at the stadium watching the match and they all told me how much they enjoyed the game. It was brilliant for the youngsters because you look at the difference if they went down to the Championship or stayed in the Premier League. It was a brilliant occasion for everybody and the team played really well, which was pleasing,” said Beardsley

“The youngsters are now striving to be Premier League players. If we dropped down a level, it would have been a big deal for them. It wasn’t easy for them because obviously they want to play in the Premier League.

“When we signed these guys, some as long as eight or nine years ago, we signed them as a Premier League club and our dream for them is to be Premier League players. We’re going to be there next season, so it gives these kids something to aspire to, so it’s a brilliant thing for them.”

The former England international has recalled five of his squad from last year’s Soccer Sevens as Newcastle bid to regain the Cup they won on their debut in 2012, since when they’ve reached the final in 2013 and semi-finals last year.

Beardsley has also pinpointed striker Callum Roberts and 6-foot 4-inch target man Tom Heardman as newcomers to watch, as the team seek to make up for giving up a two-goal lead against Kitchee in last year’s semi-finals.

“The five that were here last year have told the others how good it was, how much they enjoyed it and people have been fighting to be here. It’s a brilliant tournament for them, a brilliant week and we love it,” Beardsley said.

“We’re going to do the best we can and obviously you need a bit of luck sometimes. We made a big mistake last year when we were 2-0 up and ended up losing 3-2. We were probably going for a third goal rather than keeping the ball.”

Atletico Madrid arrive in Hong Kong for the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens.

Beardsley says 2013 champions Leicester City, who are Newcastle’s rivals in Group A on Saturday, and tournament newcomers Atletico Madrid and Stoke City, who will face off in Group D, are among the teams to watch out for.

“I think it’s brilliant for the tournament that they’ve managed to get Atletico Madrid here. Atletico Madrid has become a massive club in the last few years under [Diego] Simeone. They’ll have top players, but it’ll be interesting to see what style they play because it will be new to them,” Beardsley said.

“Stoke had a brilliant season in the Premier League under Mark Hughes. Glyn Hodges, who will be here with their U-21s, was a great player for Wales so he’ll know what it’s all about and he’ll be here trying to win.

“Leicester have done brilliantly all round, both their first team and U-21s. Nigel Pearson has done a brilliant job with the first team. To win seven out of the last nine is incredible at any level of football.”

Other top clubs in the 16-team Main Tournament include five-time champions Aston Villa and Wellington Phoenix, who will face off in Group C, as well as West Ham and Hong Kong champions Kitchee, the top two seeds in Group B.

The tournament will kick off at 6.00pm on Friday (May 29) with group games from the 10-team Masters Tournament for over-35 players.

Entry is free on the Friday evening, while tickets for the weekend are priced at HK$160 per day or HK$300 for a two-day pass and are available through Cityline (www.cityline.com).

Main Tournament:
Group A: Newcastle United (ENG), Leicester City (ENG), BC Rangers (HKG), Singapore Cricket Club (SIN)
Group B: West Ham United (ENG), Kitchee (HKG), Shanghai SIPG (CHN), HKFC Captain’s Select (HKG)
Group C: Aston Villa (ENG), Wellington Phoenix (NZL), HKFA U-18 (HKG), Hong Kong Football Club (HKG)
Group D: Stoke City (ENG), Atletico Madrid (SPA), HKFA U-20 (HKG), Yau Yee League Select (HKG)

Masters Tournament:
Group A: Wallsend Boys Club (ENG), USRC – BTS (HKG), Kitchee All Stars (HKG), KCC Veterans (HKG), HKFC Veterans (HKG)
Group B: Citibank All Stars (INT), Nottingham Forest Mobsters (ENG), SCC Tigers (SIN), Discovery Bay (HKG), HKFC Chairman’s Select (HKG)

Stoke City U-21 head coach Glyn Hodges will manage The Potters as they make their HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens debut. Photos: Phil Greig.

May 20, 2015: Glyn Hodges has selected a Stoke City U-21 squad “sprinkled with talent” for next week’s HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens at Hong Kong Football Club, where The Potters will face fellow first-timers Atletico Madrid in Saturday’s group stage.

Hodges’ charges include 17-year-old midfielder Ollie Shenton, who was called up to the England U-18s last September and made his Premier League debut as a substitute against Manchester City this February.

Yusuf Coban, selected for Germany’s U-19s in March, Austria U-21 goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann, midfielder Eddy Lecygne (France) and centre-back Ryan O’Reilly (Ireland) are among the squad’s other youth internationals.

“We’re going to be competitive,” said Hodges, Stoke’s U-21 head coach since 2013, when Mark Hughes took over as first-team coach before leading the club to successive ninth-places finishes in the Premier League.

“Ollie Shenton trains regularly with the first team, Yusuf is a strong player, while Bachmann is an Austria U-21 international who will be meeting up with the national team after he comes back from Hong Kong. We’re sprinkled with a lot of talent.”

England U-18 midfielder Oliver Shenton trains with the first team and made his Premier League debut in February.

Hodges’ side have faced England’s other Soccer Sevens contenders in the U-21 Development League, so the former midfielder is excited about facing Atletico Madrid in Group D, which also includes HKFA U-20 and Yau Yee League Select.

“The draw’s great for us and it’s going to be a great experience,” Hodges said. “We played against Leicester and West Ham last season, and have played Aston Villa and Newcastle twice this season [in Division Two], so to come over and play Atletico Madrid and the Hong Kong teams is brilliant. It’s an experience we’d want.”

Hodges, 52, played for Sing Tao and Instant Dict at the end of a playing career that featured 18 caps for Wales. He believes Hong Kong’s heat and humidity could be the biggest challenge as Stoke try to win on their debut, as Newcastle United did in 2012.

“I think Newcastle did absolutely fantastic to win it on their debut. We’re going to come and do as well as we possibly can, but I’m not going to say we’re going to win it outright,” Hodges said.

“The things we’re up against are the different sets of players, the Spanish boys and Hong Kong players, but the main thing is the temperature and the humidity.

“None of our players will have experienced this so we need to come to terms with it and that’s where Newcastle must have done brilliantly. I’ve experienced it, but it’s tough trying to explain to the boys just how hot and humid it is. The first training session out there will be an eye opener for everyone, I expect.”

Germany U-19 striker Yusuf Coban is part of a strong Stoke City U-21 squad selected for the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens

West Ham, top seeds in Group B, are making their first appearance since 2012 and will bring a young squad from the club’s famed Academy.

Strikers Jordan Brown and Djair Parfitt-Williams, and defenders Josh Pask and Alex Pike are among the players to look out for in Mark Phillips’ squad as the Hammers look to win the Cup for the first time.

The 16-team Main Tournament features four of the last five champions, with Newcastle United (2012) and Leicester City (2013) facing off in Group A, Hong Kong champions Kitchee (2011) drawn with West Ham in Group B, and five-time winners Aston Villa (2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010) headlining Group C.

HKFA U-18 were recently confirmed as the final side in the Main Tournament and join Villa, Wellington Phoenix and Hong Kong Football Club in Group C.

The tournament will kick off at 6.00pm next Friday (May 29) with 10 Masters group games. Entry is free on the Friday evening, while tickets for the weekend are priced at HK$160 per day or HK$300 for a two-day pass and are available through Cityline (www.cityline.com).

Main Tournament

Group A: Newcastle United (ENG), Leicester City (ENG), BC Rangers (HKG), Singapore Cricket Club (SIN)

Group B: West Ham United (ENG), Kitchee (HKG), Shanghai SIPG (CHN), HKFC Captain’s Select (HKG)

Group C: Aston Villa (ENG), Wellington Phoenix (NZL), HKFA U-18 (HKG), Hong Kong Football Club (HKG)

Group D: Stoke City (ENG), Atletico Madrid (SPA), HKFA U-20 (HKG), Yau Yee League Select (HKG)

Masters Tournament

Group A: Wallsend Boys Club (ENG), USRC – BTS (HKG), Kitchee All Stars (HKG), KCC Veterans (HKG), HKFC Veterans (HKG)

Group B: Citibank All Stars (ENG), Nottingham Forest Mobsters (ENG), SCC Tigers (SIN), Discovery Bay (HKG), HKFC Chairman’s Select (HKG)

England legend Peter Beardsley will again manage Newcastle United at the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens.

May 5, 2015: Peter Beardsley has pinpointed rising star Callum Roberts and 6-foot 4-inch Tom Heardman as key players for Newcastle United at the 16th HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens, which will be held at Hong Kong Football Club from May 29-31.

Newcastle won the Cup on their tournament debut in 2012, lost to Leicester City in the 2013 final and suffered an agonising semi-final exit last year after giving up a two-goal lead against Kitchee.

Managing the team for a third straight year, Beardsley has singled out 18-year-old Roberts, who made his senior debut against Leicester City in the FA Cup in January, and Heardman, 19, as ones to watch a year after debutant Rolando Aarons was the team’s star with five goals.

“Callum Roberts could be an exciting talent this year. He has pace, trickery and can score great goals. He’s got unbelievable ability and has already had a taste of the first team this season,” said Beardsley, who played for England from 1986-96, including at two World Cup finals.

“Big Tom Heardman will probably be our main striker and could be a very important player for us. With all due respect to him, he’s probably not an out-and-out goalscorer, but he does a great job for the team and will bring others into play.

“It’s a great competition and as it gets further on, the crowds get bigger. When the final comes around it’s an amazing experience and we would love to lift the Cup again.”

While Roberts and Heardman will be making their Soccer Sevens debuts, Beardsley has included five players with tournament experience in his 10-man squad, a contrast to last year when only goalkeeper Jak Alnwick had been before.

Striker Alex Gilliead, Turkish midfielder Daniel Barlaser and defensive trio Macaulay Gillesphey, Callum Williams and Adam Laidler all return from last year, when Newcastle looked set to reach the Cup final for a third year in a row before losing 3-2 to Kitchee after extra-time.

“We were brilliant until we lost against Kitchee, having been 2-0 up. The way we went out was disappointing, but we had played really well and the players loved the tournament. They really embraced everything about it, enjoyed the experience and it has done them a lot of good,” Beardsley said.

“This time we have five players from last year, so that tournament experience could help. They know what to expect, they loved what they experienced and will tell the others how good it was. Last year we were naive in a couple of things, but it’s a learning experience and the players are much better off for having gone through it.”

Newcastle are the top seeds in Group A, which also features 2013 winners Leicester City, Hong Kong Premier League club BC Rangers and Singapore Cricket Club.

However, Beardsley is most excited about the addition of reigning Spanish champions Atletico Madrid, who will be the first Spanish side to compete at the Soccer Sevens.

“I think the presence of Atletico Madrid is a huge bonus this year. It’s incredible,” Beardsley said. “When you look at where they are right now as a football club, they are one of the best teams in Spain and a top club who do things the right way. I hope we get the chance to play them.”

Atletico Madrid will compete in Group D with English debutants Stoke City, HKFA U-20 and Yau Yee League Select.

In Group B, West Ham United will face Hong Kong champions Kitchee – the 2011 winners and last year’s finalists – Chinese Super League club Shanghai SIPG and HKFC Captain’s Select

Group C features five-time champions Aston Villa, first-timers Wellington Phoenix of New Zealand, a Hong Kong Premier League team to be confirmed and hosts Hong Kong Football Club.

In the Masters Tournament for over-35 players, Wallsend Boys Club and USRC – BTS are the top seeds in Group A, which also features HKFC Veterans, Kowloon Cricket Club and debutants Kitchee All Stars.

Seeds Citibank All Stars and Nottingham Forest Mobsters headline Group B, which includes SCC Tigers, Discovery Bay and HKFC Chairman’s Select.

This year’s 10-team Masters Tournament has a new format, starting with two round-robin groups followed by the Plate final between the third-placed teams in each group, Cup semi-finals for the top two teams in each group and Cup final.

Entry is free on the Friday evening, while tickets for the weekend are priced at HK$160 per day or HK$300 for a two-day pass and are available through Cityline (www.cityline.com). The tournament will kick off at 6.00pm on May 29 with 10 Masters group games.

Main Tournament:

Group A: Newcastle United (ENG), Leicester City (ENG), BC Rangers (HKG), Singapore Cricket Club (SIN)

Group B: West Ham United (ENG), Kitchee (HKG), Shanghai SIPG (CHN), HKFC Captain’s Select (HKG)

Group C: Aston Villa (ENG), Wellington Phoenix (NZL), HK Premier League Club TBC (HKG), Hong Kong Football Club (HKG)

Group D: Stoke City (ENG), Atletico Madrid (SPA), HKFA U-20 (HKG), Yau Yee League Select (HKG)

Masters Tournament:

Group A: Wallsend Boys Club (ENG), USRC – BTS (HKG), Kitchee All Stars (HKG), Kowloon Cricket Club (HKG), HKFC Veterans (HKG)

Group B: Citibank All Stars (INT), Nottingham Forest Mobsters (ENG), SCC Tigers (SIN), Discovery Bay (HKG), HKFC Chairman’s Select (HKG)

This year’s event features a 16-team Main Tournament and 10-team Masters Tournament.

April 14, 2015: English Premier League club Stoke City were drawn with Spanish champions Atletico Madrid in Group D of next month’s 16th HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens in Hong Kong.

HKFA U-20 and Yau Yee League Select will also feature in the high-profile group at Hong Kong Football Club, which will host the international seven-a-side event from May 29-31 and was also the venue for Tuesday’s Official Draw.

Newcastle United, the 2012 champions and 2013 runners-up, are the top seeds in Group A, which also features 2013 winners Leicester City, a Hong Kong Premier League club to be confirmed and Singapore Cricket Club.

West Ham United, back for the first time since 2012, will face Hong Kong champions Kitchee – the 2011 winners and last year’s finalists – Chinese Super League club Shanghai SIPG and HKFC Captain’s Select in Group B.

In Group C, five-time champions Aston Villa were drawn with first-timers Wellington Phoenix of New Zealand, a Hong Kong Premier League club and hosts Hong Kong Football Club.

Spanish newcomers Atletico Madrid will face fellow debutants Stoke City in Group D.

Citibank, which has title sponsored the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens since 2011, also confirmed a new four-year title sponsorship of the event from 2015 to 2018.

Weber Lo, Citi Country Officer and Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong and Macau, said: “We are thrilled to be the title sponsor for the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens once again this year. Citi is committed to continue building this event into one of the world’s best seven-a-side tournaments.

“On this note, it’s exciting to see Spanish champions Atletico Madrid in this year’s event, which shows how its reputation is growing globally. We’re also proud to welcome Wellington Phoenix and Shanghai SIPG for the first time, and expect strong support for the five English Premier League clubs and local Hong Kong teams.”

Tony Bratsanos, Chairman of the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens Organising Committee, said Citibank’s sponsorship enabled the tournament to attract international teams, with clubs coming from England, Spain, New Zealand, China and Singapore this year.

“Citibank’s sponsorship is huge for the tournament and will enable us to keep growing this event. Obviously Atletico Madrid are a huge draw this year, while Aston Villa, Newcastle, West Ham and Leicester have a traditional fanbase at the tournament, having competed before,” Bratsanos said.

“Stoke City are coming for the first time, which is exciting because The Potters are enjoying a strong season. Wellington Phoenix and Shanghai SIPG are bringing experienced squads for their debut, so should be pretty competitive.”

In the Masters Tournament for over-35 players, Wallsend Boys Club and USRC – BTS were drawn as the top seeds in Group A, which also features Kitchee All Stars, Kowloon Cricket Club and HKFC Veterans.

Seeds Citibank All Stars and Nottingham Forest Mobsters headline Group B, which includes SCC Tigers, Discovery Bay and HKFC Chairman’s Select.

This year’s 10-team Masters Tournament has a new format, starting with two round-robin groups followed by the Cup semi-finals and final.

Mark Sutcliffe, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Football Association, said the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens held a special place in the local football calendar.

“The HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens is one of the city’s most popular annual tournaments for local players and fans, and we expect another fantastic three days at Hong Kong Football Club,” Sutcliffe said.

“Kitchee won the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens in 2011 and reached last year’s final, so we expect them to proudly represent the Hong Kong Premier League, while we’re also proud to have the HKFA U-20 team compete, especially after our national youth teams did so well last year to reach the quarter-finals.”

Entry is free on the Friday evening, while tickets for the weekend are priced at HK$160 per day or HK$300 for a two-day pass and will be available through Cityline (www.cityline.com). The tournament will start with the opening round of Masters group games on Friday evening, May 29.

Main Tournament
Group A: Newcastle United (ENG), Leicester City (ENG), HK Premier League Club 1 (HKG), Singapore Cricket Club (SIN)
Group B: West Ham United (ENG), Kitchee (HKG), Shanghai SIPG (CHN), HKFC Captain’s Select (HKG)
Group C: Aston Villa (ENG), Wellington Phoenix (NZL), HK Premier League Club 2 (HKG), Hong Kong Football Club (HKG)
Group D: Stoke City (ENG), Atletico Madrid (SPA), HKFA U-20 (HKG), Yau Yee League Select (HKG)

Masters Tournament
Group A: Wallsend Boys Club (ENG), USRC – BTS (HKG), Kitchee All Stars (HKG), Kowloon Cricket Club (HKG), HKFC Veterans (HKG)
Group B: Citibank All Stars (INT), Nottingham Forest Mobsters (ENG), SCC Tigers (SIN), Discovery Bay (HKG), HKFC Chairman’s Select (HKG)

Atletico Madrid will be represented by their famed Academy, which produced Fernando Torres.

April 1, 105: Reigning Spanish champions Atletico Madrid will make their tournament debut at this year’s HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens, which will be held at Hong Kong Football Club from May 29-31.

Atletico, Spain’s third-best supported club after Real Madrid and Barcelona, will be the first Spanish club to compete in the annual seven-a-side tournament, which will mark its 16th edition in May – a year after Atletico clinched their 10th La Liga title.

Emilio Gutiérrez, Director of the club’s Academy and Expansion, said: “Atletico Madrid is proud to be the first Spanish side to compete at the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens, which has a strong reputation. We can see that many great teams have won the event and each year there are famous clubs competing, so we’ll just do our best and hope to entertain the fans with our style of football.

“We are sure that this tournament will be also a great platform to promote the Atletico Madrid brand all over the Asian market, which is a strategic area in the international expansion process of our club.”

Tony Bratsanos, Chairman of the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens Organising Committee, said the addition of Atletico – last year’s UEFA Champions League runners-up – was part of a new direction for the tournament.

“We wanted to make some changes to give the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens a more international, global feel,” Bratsanos said.

“We wanted to include some other clubs from Europe, not just English clubs, so were thrilled when we were able to secure Atletico Madrid as Spanish champions. If this proves a success, which I’m confident it will, we’ll seek to add one or two more next year.”

Bratsanos, Chairman of the Organising Committee since the event’s inauguration in 1999, believes the Spanish giants will make a major impact on their debut at Hong Kong Football Club, where they’re expected to field academy players.

“Fernando Torres came through their youth system and he’s done pretty well for himself, so we’re expecting them to bring out a very strong youth side,” Bratsanos said.

“Spanish players are typically quick, technically excellent and great at possession football, so I’m confident they’ll excel at seven-a-side.”

Atletico will seek to challenge the domination of English clubs, who have won 10 of the 15 editions of the tournament.

Five-time champions Aston Villa (2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010), recent winners Newcastle United (2012) and Leicester City (2013), West Ham, appearing for the first time since 2012, and debutants Stoke City will represent the English Premier League charge in Hong Kong this year.

The remaining sides in this year’s 16-team Main competition and teams competing in the over-35 Masters tournament will be announced next week.

Future stars who have competed in the Main competition include Gabby Agbonlahor, Glen Johnson, Marc Albrighton, David Bentley, Anton Ferdinand, Sammy Ameobi, Shaun Maloney, Jack Grealish and Rolando Aarons.

The Masters tournament has featured former England internationals Peter Beardsley, John Barnes, Chris Waddle, Teddy Sheringham, Des Walker, Andy Cole and Matt Le Tissier, German legends Jurgen Klinsmann and Pierre Littbarski, Finnish icon Jari Litmanen, Dutch great Aron Winter and former France winger Didier Six.

Newcastle United are one of five English teams competing in the 2015 HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens.

March 30, 2015: Stoke City will make their tournament debut at the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens from May 29-31, when ‘The Potters’ will be one of five English Premier League clubs participating at Hong Kong Football Club.

West Ham United, boasting one of England’s most successful academies, will compete for the first time since 2012, while five-time champions Aston Villa and recent winners Newcastle United and Leicester City return from last year’s 16-team Main competition.

Villa (2010), Newcastle (2012) and Leicester (2013) have won three of the last five editions of the international seven-a-side-tournament, which each year includes youth teams from Premier League clubs.

Tony Bratsanos, Chairman of the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens Organising Committee, said: “The HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens has always had a strong presence from the Premier League, so we’re delighted that Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Leicester City are continuing their participation and will be bidding to lift the Cup again.

“We’re excited that West Ham will be coming back after a brief break, as they were a very popular side when they played here, and we’re also proud that we were able to secure Stoke City for their tournament debut. Stoke are enjoying a fine season and will be a welcome addition to the Main competition.”

English clubs have won 10 of the 15 editions of the tournament since its inauguration in 1999. Aston Villa have won a record five times (2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010), while Blackburn Rovers (1999), Arsenal (2001), Newcastle (2012), Leicester (2013) and Manchester City (2014) are the other English clubs to have lifted the Cup.

Citibank has title sponsored the event since 2011. Weber Lo, Citi Country Officer and Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong and Macau, said: “We are proud to be the title sponsor of this prestigious soccer tournament once again this year.

“I am excited to again see a strong English Premier League presence at the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens. Each year, the tournament features both returning and new teams, which always keeps the line-up interesting.”

Hong Kong clubs Kitchee (2011) and Instant Dict (2000), Japan’s Urawa Reds (2005, 2006) and Scottish giants Celtic (2009) are the tournament’s only non-English champions.

The remaining sides in this year’s 16-team Main competition and teams competing in the over-35 Masters tournament will be confirmed soon.

Future stars who have competed in the Main competition include Gabby Agbonlahor, Glen Johnson, Marc Albrighton, David Bentley, Anton Ferdinand, Sammy Ameobi, Shaun Maloney, Jack Grealish and Rolando Aarons.

The Masters tournament has featured former England internationals Peter Beardsley, John Barnes, Chris Waddle, Teddy Sheringham, Des Walker, Andy Cole and Matt Le Tissier, German legends Jurgen Klinsmann and Pierre Littbarski, Finnish icon Jari Litmanen, Dutch great Aron Winter and former France winger Didier Six.

Roll of Honour: Main
Year      Champions / Runners-up
2014      Manchester City (ENG) / Kitchee (HKG)
2013      Leicester City (ENG) / Newcastle United (ENG)
2012      Newcastle United (ENG) / Aston Villa (ENG)
2011      Kitchee (HKG) / Celtic (SCO)
2010      Aston Villa (ENG) / Rangers (SCO)
2009      Celtic (SCO) / Rangers (SCO)
2008      Aston Villa (ENG) / Celtic (SCO)
2007      Aston Villa (ENG) / Central Coast Mariners (AUS)
2006      Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) / Aston Villa (ENG)
2005      Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) / PSV Eindhoven (NED)
2004      Aston Villa (ENG) / Manchester United (ENG)
2003      No tournament due to SARS
2002      Aston Villa (ENG) / Arsenal (ENG)
2001      Arsenal (ENG) / Instant Dict (HKG)
2000      Instant Dict (HKG) / Chelsea (ENG)
1999      Blackburn Rovers (ENG) / Celtic (SCO)

Roll of Honour: Masters
Year      Champions / Runners-up
2014      Aegon Ajax All Stars / USRC
2013      Rangers All Stars / Aegon Ajax All Stars
2012      Aegon Ajax All Stars / Top Class
2011      Top Class / Citibank All Stars
2010      KFC Tokyo / Andy Cole All Stars
2009      Golden Rainbow / Football For Life
2008      Rangers / Mel Hood All Stars
2007      Lorenz All Stars / Philips All Stars
2006      Lorenz All Stars / Philips All Stars
2005      Lorenz All Stars / Philips All Stars
2004      Philips All Stars  / Lorenz All Stars
2003      No tournament due to SARS
2002      Philips All Stars  / Team Bondi
2001      Instant Dict Veterans / Lorenz All Stars
2000      Lorenz All Stars / Instant Dict Veterans
1999      Carling All Stars  / Lorenz All Stars