Club Magazine Issue 05, 2018

SOCCER
HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens
Returns In Style
By Michael Church
Defending champions Leicester City and newcomers Brighton
& Hove Albion are among the headline acts as the HKFC Citi
Soccer Sevens prepares to kick off in May.
The three-day event – now in its 19th year – runs from 18th-20th May
and features sixteen teams in the Main Event and a further ten in the
Masters competition as teams and players from around the world
converge on Sports Road.
“Once again we’re delighted to unveil a wonderful line-up of clubs for
this year’s HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens,” says Tournament Director Chris
Plowman.
“We will be welcoming back many old friends while witnessing some
fresh new talent on the pitch at Sports Road.
“We are very pleased to announce that Brighton & Hove Albion will be
joining us for the first time while reigning champions Leicester City will be
back to defend their title and Cagliari will return after making their debut
last year.
“In total six teams from Hong Kong, including two from HKFC, will be
joined by teams from England, Scotland, Italy, Japan, Australia and
New Zealand in what promises to be another thrilling HKFC Citi Soccer
Sevens.”
The HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens was first held in 1998 and the 2018
edition represents the 19th running of the tournament after the 2003
event was cancelled as a result of the SARS outbreak.
Leicester City defeated Aston Villa in last year’s final and the 2016
Premier League champions will be represented again at this year’s
event, where they will look to successfully defend the title.
“Leicester City Football Club is looking forward to attending this year’s
HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens,” said Ian Cawley, Leicester City Academy
Manager. “Over previous seasons, the club has enjoyed magnificent
success in Hong Kong, notably winning the Cup in 2013 and 2017.
“As such, we are delighted to be returning to Happy Valley this year to
defend our crown and to compete against some of the most exciting
talent from across the globe.
“Following our success last May, the Development Squad have
impressed domestically and the opportunities provided by the HKFC Citi
Soccer Sevens are always of an extremely high standard.
“The demands of the tournament, its unique format and the challenges
posed all contribute to a thrilling and useful week of competition for our
young players.”
Aston Villa are the most successful club in the history of the event with
six title wins, the first coming in 2002. Further victories were achieved
in 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2016 before the club missed out on a
seventh success in last year’s final.
“We are delighted to have been invited to the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens
again,” says Aston Villa’s Academy Manager Sean Kimberley. “It’s such
a prestigious tournament which has been part of our club’s development
programme for a long time.
“We have been very fortunate to have had success in the tournament
over the years, with the most recent being in 2016. Although we fell at
the final hurdle last season we will be looking to go one better this time
round.
“More importantly for us, it’s about developing the players. Our history
and the tournament’s history show a number of players who have gone
onto be Premier League winners and top international players have
represented Aston Villa in this top class international tournament.”
Brighton & Hove Albion, meanwhile, will be making their debut during
30 May 2018