Hong Kong Soccer 7's 2009

EASTLEIGH: (Back row) Paul Wiltshire, Sam Malone, Tom Nicholas, Joe Maxwell, Adam Gatcumb, Joe Crook. (Front row) Brett Williams, James Powell, Fred Toomer, Adam Wiltshire.

EDOF reports: "We took a group of 17 to an International tournament, nearly all of the players under the age of 20, and we competed against some of the best Acadamies in the UK. Although we were beaten by Aston Villa, West Ham and Celtic I can assure you the gap was very small - and in fact Celtic (who won the tournament) said that their hardest game was against EFC!

Paul Wiltshire and Sam Malone were the coaches, and they had the lads well drilled and disciplined. Our fitness levels were every bit as good as the pro.Clubs. Thank you to those two, and to Ray Murphy who looked after all the admin.

This year we allowed the lads some slack, and relied on them to act as adults. They did exactly that, and proved that they are now mature enough to be treated in such a manner. The organisers were most impressed by us, so now we cross our fingers for an invite back next year.

Finally, a big thank you to all of of sponsors and backers. Your financial contribution was a great help, and enabled the lads to really enjoy this great experience."

CELTIC LAND SOCCER SEVENS TITLE WITH VICTORY OVER RANGERS

Glasgow Celtic won the HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens for the first time on Sunday (May 31) with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over arch rivals Rangers.

A second-half strike from Paul McGowan was enough to secure the trophy in front of a near-capacity crowd at Hong Kong Football Club.

“It was a fantastic spectacle and both teams played the game to win,” said Celtic manager Willie McStay. “There were plenty of incidents and both teams had their chances, so it was a great game for the fans.

“It’s my third year here – we lost in the semi-finals two years ago, lost in the final last year and now we’ve won it, so I’m absolutely delighted.

“We have a great record against Rangers at youth and reserve level and it’s always sweet to beat them.”

McGowan struck shortly after half-time following brilliant approach work from flying winger Niall McGinn.

Rangers – missing captain Andrew Shinnie through suspension after he picked up two yellow cards earlier in the day – fought back but Archie Campbell missed a simple chance to equalise in the final minute after a goalmouth scramble.

McStay was full of praise for the Soccer Sevens as a development tool for young players.

“Players have to think, keep the ball, show good movement and be patient. It’s a lot of the same things they have to do in 11-a-side but here there’s no room for error.

“I think it’s a fantastic format and a great experience for these young players. Some of them have never been outside Britain, never mind Europe.”

Celtic’s road to the final began with a 3-1 quarter-final victory over Hong Kong side Citizen, with captain Ryan Conroy and Mark Millar (2) on target. Then a Conroy penalty secured a 1-0 win over the Australian U18s national team in a hard-fought semi-final.

Rangers beat West Ham United 2-1 in a thrilling quarter-final that was settled by Steven Lennon’s golden goal winner in extra time.

They then knocked out holders Aston Villa with an outstanding 3-1 semi-final victory. Goals from Shinnie, Rory Loy and Lennon put Rangers in command before Villa’s Marc Albrighton replied, but the holders were unable to mount a comeback.

In the Masters competition, Golden Rainbow, a team comprising former Hong Kong league professionals, won the Cup with a 2-1 victory over charity side Football For Life.

Lee Fuk Wing put Golden Rainbow ahead in the first half but former France international Didier Six scored a late equaliser with a diving header.

That sent the game into four-a-side sudden-death extra time and Yeung Kin Keung’s spectacular volley won it for Golden Rainbow with just seconds remaining.

Golden Rainbow had earlier beaten the IP Global All Stars 1-0 with an extra time golden goal from Lau Chi Yuen.

The Cup success delighted Golden Rainbow coach Simon Wong. “It’s great to see this team of local players and friends enjoying the tournament and playing in such a great atmosphere,” he said.

“We’ve played in this tournament for many years and we know that when it comes to four against four, you have to use your goalkeeper as an outfield player so you can keep possession.”

Defeat in the semi-final came as a shock to the IP Global All Stars – who included former England internationals Des Walker, Rob Lee and Chris Powell and ex-Scotland striker Gordon Durie in their line-up – as they had not conceded a goal in the tournament until that point.

“We probably did enough to win the game, so we’re disappointed,” said captain Walker. “We’re all ex-professionals and we came here to win.

“But it’s a fantastic tournament, it’s really well organised and they look after the players. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and Hong Kong is a great city.”

Since it was first held in 1999, the tournament – sanctioned by the Hong Kong Football Association – has developed into the world’s premier seven-a-side soccer event.

The Main competition has become famous for unearthing the “stars of tomorrow” while the Masters section features former elite players from Europe’s top leagues.

The Soccer Sevens was title sponsored for the first time this year by Hong Kong-based international property company IP Global.