Hong Kong Football 7s

Bury Red · 30th May 2004, 01:20

Fifth time the competitions been held and first time entry from Manchester United who are up against past winners Aston Villa and Arsenal, as well as Rangers, Celtic & 11 other sides from local leagues and a number of international amateur teams.

United have sent over a strong youth side featuring Eddie Johnson, David Jones, Chris Eagles, Colin Heath, David Poole, David Fox, Paul Tierney, Mark Lynch, Phil Bardsley and the keeper who I think was called Heaton?. Eagles received all the "next Beckham" hype in the press running up to the tournament but has struggled to impress in the stifling heat but Jones and Johnson have looked the part with Eddie having been our most consistent threat throughout.

After the shock of home team Hong Kong Football Club taking the lead after a minute through a cracking strike from captain Ashley Dyer, David Jones pulled United level to save those of us in red shirts from too much embarassment. We then went on to beat Wimborne Town (semi pros from the Dorset league) 2-0 with goals from Mark Lynch and David Fox, and local league side Buler Rangers 1-0 with a goal from Eddie Johnson.

Finishing Day 1 top of Group D, United now face J League side Kashima Antlers (runners up to an impressieve Villa side in Group B). Laugh of the day had to be Arsenal struggling to two draws against Shanghai Shenhua and local side Happy Valley, which saw them finish second in their group (but undefeated of course

) but changes little in their Quarter Final draw as they will play Group A winners Rangers rather than runners up Celtic.

The veterans tournament running at the same time has some golden oldies in Michael Rummenigge, Uwe Bein, Stuart Ripley, Paul Walsh, John Beresford, Gordon Cowans, Tony Woodcock and the two standout players Dean Holdsworth and Andreas Moeller.

£8 ($100) entrance fee for two days and beer galore in the stands, what more could you ask for. Day two here we come

uranushk1 · 30th May 2004, 01:35

Thanks for the report.

Bury Red · 30th May 2004, 01:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by uranushk1

Thanks for the report.

Were you down there Uranus?

kelvinhole · 30th May 2004, 01:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bury Red

their group (but undefeated of course

)

uranushk1 · 30th May 2004, 01:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bury Red

Were you down there Uranus?

No, I didn't even realize that it is held in these two days...

kelvinhole · 30th May 2004, 01:49

Final should be today.

I actually entertained the thought of going down to the stadium and supporting United

, but decided against it as I had to take the HKCEE

.

Bury Red · 30th May 2004, 01:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by uranushk1

No, I didn't even realize that it is held in these two days...

Well get down there, jockey club underpass entrance to the football club. Quarter finals for the runners up in the veterans comp kicked off 15 minutes ago with the big name vets competition restarting at 11:10 and the main comp with United, Arsenal etc at 12:30 (United play Kashima Antlers at 13:30. We're aiming on getting there around 12.

uranushk1 · 30th May 2004, 01:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelvinhole

Final should be today.

I actually entertained the thought of going down to the stadium and supporting United

, but decided against it as I had to take the HKCEE

.

Really? Wish you good luck in the exam.

kelvinhole · 30th May 2004, 01:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by uranushk1

Really? Wish you good luck in the exam.

Well the HKCEE is nearly over but I'm not happy about the fact that I had to miss the sevens because of a stupid Listening exam.

Oh well...

Are any of you planning to see the Milan game tonight?

uranushk1 · 30th May 2004, 01:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bury Red

Well get down there, jockey club underpass entrance to the football club. Quarter finals for the runners up in the veterans comp kicked off 15 minutes ago with the big name vets competition restarting at 11:10 and the main comp with United, Arsenal etc at 12:30 (United play Kashima Antlers at 13:30. We're aiming on getting there around 12.

Thanks for the info. I will go to support United.

uranushk1 · 30th May 2004, 01:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelvinhole

Well the HKCEE is nearly over but I'm not happy about the fact that I had to miss the sevens because of a stupid Listening exam.

Oh well...

Are any of you planning to see the Milan game tonight?

I didn't even know there is a Milan game tonight.

Any star came? Has Maldini and Shevchenko come?

Bury Red · 30th May 2004, 02:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelvinhole

Well the HKCEE is nearly over but I'm not happy about the fact that I had to miss the sevens because of a stupid Listening exam.

Oh well...

Are any of you planning to see the Milan game tonight?

The wife can just about put up with two days of non-stop football and beer, suggesting a trip to HK Stadium straight after for another game would probably be pushing it while more beer would not be a good idea with work on Monday.

I thought it was a bit off of the HKFA to organise that match at the same time as the 7s really, I might go and see the Newcastle match if it comes off and I'm in town at the time.

kelvinhole · 30th May 2004, 02:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by uranushk1

I didn't even know there is a Milan game tonight.

Any star came? Has Maldini and Shevchenko come?

Wow-- do you even watch the news?

Do yo even live here?

Both of them are here. Redondo, Serginho, Ambrosini and co are all here. They're playing Kitchee in the Hong Kong stadium, I believe.

uranushk1 · 30th May 2004, 02:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelvinhole

Wow-- do you even watch the news?

Do yo even live here?

I guess I haven't paid much attention to the soccer news after the season is over.

kelvinhole · 30th May 2004, 02:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bury Red

I thought it was a bit off of the HKFA to organise that match at the same time as the 7s really, I might go and see the Newcastle match if it comes off and I'm in town at the time.

I know, bad timing, not sure if they know what the hell they're doing.

spinoza · 30th May 2004, 02:06

Cheers for that

What about the other British sides? Did they send any established first teamers or are they all kids like the United team?

kelvinhole · 30th May 2004, 02:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by uranushk1

I guess I haven't paid much attention to the soccer news after the season is over.

Bury Red · 30th May 2004, 02:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by spinoza

Cheers for that

What about the other British sides? Did they send any established first teamers or are they all kids like the United team?

Mostly youth team players and Under 21s. The only one I'd heard of was Gary Cahill of Villa while Adam Birchall has stood out for Arsenal on the pitch and their keeper Mark Howard has stood out for supreme ugliness (think Plug from the Bash Street kids)

Celtic and Rangers have a smattering of more recognisable players with Beattie turning out for Celtic and Alan McGregor & Bob Malcolm for Rangers. McGregor in goal for Rangers was fantastic against Celtic while the young forward McCormack got their winner past Celtic's equally impressive keeper. I think the fact they were drawn together might have egged both teams on in bringing more experienced players.

Jacqueline_S · 30th May 2004, 08:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by uranushk1

I didn't even know there is a Milan game tonight.

Any star came? Has Maldini and Shevchenko come?

hey look..
I'm in Canada, and I KNOW they are in HK...

anyway, seems like you 're not going huh...

Bury Red · 31st May 2004, 01:50

Bad head and no voice left but a great weekend.

United beat Kashimi Antlers 1-0 in a tight Quarter Final with another goal from Fox who looked impressive all day then went on to beat Celtic 1-0 with a goal from Chris Eagles who finally came into form on the last day. Johnson did all the hard work only to see the keeper parry his shot to the onrushing Eagles for a tap in.

Arsenal fell to Villa in the other semi who sealed it with a golden goal winner in extra time (played 4 vs 4) on a full pitch in temperatures in the 40s. Any hopes that the extra time would knacker Villa before the final were proved unfounded though as Villa beat United 2-0 and gave the United defence and keeper a torrid time while our inability to maintain meaningful possession saw us limited to a handfull of chances.

Performance of the day had to go to 45 year old ex Wednesday and Charlton keeper Bob Bolder who lifted the veterans cup for the Phillips all star team. After 20 minutes plus 4 man extra time, the seniors final came down to a penalty shootout with Bob saving all 3 penalties while Dean Holdsworth, Paul Walsh and Gordon Cowans converted their 3 penalties, the keepers ecstatic lap of honour and kneeling homage to the fans was the highlight of the weekend.

Oh and AC Milan lost 2-1 to Hong Kong league side Kitchee

spinoza · 31st May 2004, 02:47

Shame we lost to Villa. So close yet so far.

Beating the hoops wasn't bad mind.

Top kids though - some of em will be making first team appearances soon. Fingers crossed.

30th May 2004, 01:20	#1 (permalink)
Bury Red Backs Fergie, Yells Giggs! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Singapore Posts: 7,922	Fifth time the competitions been held and first time entry from Manchester United who are up against past winners Aston Villa and Arsenal, as well as Rangers, Celtic & 11 other sides from local leagues and a number of international amateur teams. United have sent over a strong youth side featuring Eddie Johnson, David Jones, Chris Eagles, Colin Heath, David Poole, David Fox, Paul Tierney, Mark Lynch, Phil Bardsley and the keeper who I think was called Heaton?. Eagles received all the "next Beckham" hype in the press running up to the tournament but has struggled to impress in the stifling heat but Jones and Johnson have looked the part with Eddie having been our most consistent threat throughout. After the shock of home team Hong Kong Football Club taking the lead after a minute through a cracking strike from captain Ashley Dyer, David Jones pulled United level to save those of us in red shirts from too much embarassment. We then went on to beat Wimborne Town (semi pros from the Dorset league) 2-0 with goals from Mark Lynch and David Fox, and local league side Buler Rangers 1-0 with a goal from Eddie Johnson. Finishing Day 1 top of Group D, United now face J League side Kashima Antlers (runners up to an impressieve Villa side in Group B). Laugh of the day had to be Arsenal struggling to two draws against Shanghai Shenhua and local side Happy Valley, which saw them finish second in their group (but undefeated of course ) but changes little in their Quarter Final draw as they will play Group A winners Rangers rather than runners up Celtic. The veterans tournament running at the same time has some golden oldies in Michael Rummenigge, Uwe Bein, Stuart Ripley, Paul Walsh, John Beresford, Gordon Cowans, Tony Woodcock and the two standout players Dean Holdsworth and Andreas Moeller. £8 ($100) entrance fee for two days and beer galore in the stands, what more could you ask for. Day two here we come

30th May 2004, 01:35	#2 (permalink)
uranushk1 I'd Bellion if I said I were an optimist Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: fair forumer Posts: 7,194	Thanks for the report.

30th May 2004, 01:49	#6 (permalink)
kelvinhole Hello Kevin Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 5,340	Final should be today. I actually entertained the thought of going down to the stadium and supporting United , but decided against it as I had to take the HKCEE .

30th May 2004, 02:06	#16 (permalink)
spinoza Paz's ion Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Everything is "blarg". Posts: 22,329	Cheers for that What about the other British sides? Did they send any established first teamers or are they all kids like the United team?

31st May 2004, 01:50	#20 (permalink)
Bury Red Backs Fergie, Yells Giggs! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Singapore Posts: 7,922	Bad head and no voice left but a great weekend. United beat Kashimi Antlers 1-0 in a tight Quarter Final with another goal from Fox who looked impressive all day then went on to beat Celtic 1-0 with a goal from Chris Eagles who finally came into form on the last day. Johnson did all the hard work only to see the keeper parry his shot to the onrushing Eagles for a tap in. Arsenal fell to Villa in the other semi who sealed it with a golden goal winner in extra time (played 4 vs 4) on a full pitch in temperatures in the 40s. Any hopes that the extra time would knacker Villa before the final were proved unfounded though as Villa beat United 2-0 and gave the United defence and keeper a torrid time while our inability to maintain meaningful possession saw us limited to a handfull of chances. Performance of the day had to go to 45 year old ex Wednesday and Charlton keeper Bob Bolder who lifted the veterans cup for the Phillips all star team. After 20 minutes plus 4 man extra time, the seniors final came down to a penalty shootout with Bob saving all 3 penalties while Dean Holdsworth, Paul Walsh and Gordon Cowans converted their 3 penalties, the keepers ecstatic lap of honour and kneeling homage to the fans was the highlight of the weekend. Oh and AC Milan lost 2-1 to Hong Kong league side Kitchee

31st May 2004, 02:47	#21 (permalink)
spinoza Paz's ion Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Everything is "blarg". Posts: 22,329	Shame we lost to Villa. So close yet so far. Beating the hoops wasn't bad mind. Top kids though - some of em will be making first team appearances soon. Fingers crossed.