Latest news with #SoccerSevens
South China Morning Post
21-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Ex-Man Utd ace Varane's verdict on Hong Kong event and idea of EPL, La Liga games abroad
Former France and Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has said he was blown away by the passion for football in Hong Kong after witnessing it first-hand at the weekend. A World Cup and four-time Uefa Champions League winner, Varane was a popular guest at the HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens on Sunday. 'The welcome here was amazing,' said the 32-year-old, who retired last September. 'You could see the fans' incredible passion for football.' Reflecting on that tournament, which was won in dramatic fashion by Dutch team AZ Alkmaar after a nip-and-tuck final against Brighton & Hove Albion, Varane hailed the opportunity for young playing talents to 'share cultures and knowledge'. 'It's a great experience for kids to come from around the world, and play against teams from everywhere, it's good for their development,' Varane said. Raphael Varane joins a penalty competition at the Soccer Sevens. Photo: HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens 'The [sevens] game is faster, so it's good for developing different skills … the tournament provides only positive things.'
South China Morning Post
19-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
UK visa rules blocked Hong Kong footballer's West Ham trial. Now Japan beckons
Hong Kong Football Club's teenaged goalkeeper James Wright has said the weekend's HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens provided a rare gateway for local talent to play at an elite level overseas. Following a string of impressive displays in last year's tournament, Wright was invited for a trial with West Ham United, the club he supports. That opportunity fell through after Wright arrived in England, because despite owning a British passport, he counted as a foreigner under Fifa rules and West Ham opted against giving a triallist one of its quota of slots for those not meeting UK work permit criteria. A week-long stint with Charlton Athletic was arranged instead, with Wright not offered a deal but told he was welcome to train in future with this season's League One play-off finalists. Soon after playing in this year's Sevens, 17-year-old Wright was poised to jet to Japan for a four-day tryout with Kamatamare Sanuki, set up by former Hong Kong international Au Yeung Yiu-chung, who used to play for the J3 League team. James Wright plays for HKFC Captain's Select at the Soccer Sevens. Photo: HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens 'This tournament gives young players like me exposure to big clubs like Aston Villa and West Ham, and I had the contact from West Ham after last year,' Wright said.
South China Morning Post
18-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Trent Alexander-Arnold booing should stop for Liverpool finale, legend says in Hong Kong
Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has said he hopes the boos for Trent Alexander-Arnold will be replaced by cheers in the last game of the season, suggesting the defender can be forgiven for eyeing a move to Real Madrid. Alexander-Arnold was booed by some supporters at Anfield when he came on as a substitute in last week's 2-2 draw with Arsenal, having confirmed days earlier that he would, as expected, be departing when his contract ended this summer. He is widely tipped to join Real, who tabled a bid for him in December. And former Liverpool captain and manager Souness argued the lure of the Spanish giants was the one thing that could top success with the Reds, urging fans to recognise it during next Sunday's season closer against Crystal Palace at Anfield. 'I'm a wee bit disappointed for him, he's given great service to Liverpool,' Souness said during a visit to Hong Kong for the HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens. 'He's won things [there]. He's been fabulous for them and he wants a new challenge. Graeme Souness at Park Lane Hotel in Hong Kong. Photo: Jonathan Wong 'Right now, out there, who would you leave Liverpool for? Maybe only Real Madrid right now.
South China Morning Post
18-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
AZ Alkmaar hat-trick hero eyes Hong Kong glory, Brighton knock out Aston Villa
Hat-trick hero Sem van Duijn said AZ Alkmaar positioned themselves as underdogs before outclassing Larne 3-0 to reach the HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens semi-finals in Hong Kong on Sunday. Dutch maestros Alkmaar were among the pre-tournament favourites following their recent Uefa Youth League exploits, when they lost 1-0 to eventual champions Barcelona in the last four. They were shocked 1-0 by hosts Football Club on the opening day of the Sevens, however, before scraping through their group with a decisive 3-1 victory over Leicester City. After his treble booked a clash with Yokohama Marinos of Japan, Van Duijn, 21, acknowledged Alkmaar initially struggled to cope with the blistering Hong Kong heat. 'It's twice as hot as at home right now, but we've got used to it and we're ready to keep going,' he said. 'Larne won their pool and we were second, so we knew it'd be a tough match.' Tempers flared on the field and on the sidelines as Northern Irish side Larne resorted to illegal means to try to neuter their technically superior opponents.
South China Morning Post
18-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
West Ham goalkeeper eyes first-team boost at Soccer Sevens in Hong Kong
West Ham United goalkeeper Mason Terry said it was impossible to resist the lure of returning to Hong Kong for the HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens, after last year's edition delivered a career-enhancing learning experience. Advertisement On Saturday, the Premier League team emerged unbeaten from their group to secure a Sunday morning quarter-final meeting with Football Club. Since he was part of the West Ham team knocked out by Fulham at that stage 12 months ago, Terry has spent a successful season on loan with non-league Hornchurch, and agreed a new West Ham contract. Terry said the January appointment of head coach Graham Potter had given everyone a fresh start. 'He is giving opportunities to young players, we want to impress him and have a chance of reaching the first team,' Terry said. The 20-year-old, whose West Ham under-18s thumped an Arsenal side featuring current first-teamers Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri 5-1 at Emirates Stadium in the 2023 FA Youth Cup final, has divided playing for Hornchurch with training back at his parent club. Advertisement 'It's the best of both worlds, getting to play men's football, but also training with the first team and being around the under-21s for matches, as a big figure in the dressing room,' Terry said. He acknowledged, nonetheless, that the Soccer Sevens was providing a welcome chance to impress his club's coaches and supporters.
