The HKFC IP Glogal Hong Kong Soccer Sevens started amidst great anticipation at the Hong Kong Football Club last night.

While most of the foreign players adapted quickly to the hot and humid Hong Kong weather, not everyone found the going easy.  

The Andy Cole Jura All Stars went down to a surprise 1-0 defeat to Singapore Cricket Club Tigers in Pool D – former Singaporean international Nahar bin Daud grabbing the only goal in the first half.

Manchester United legend Cole stayed on the bench until four minutes from time, when he came on to loud cheers from the crowd, but was unable to rescue his team.

SCC Tigers manager Tony Moore was delighted with the result. “We didn’t play well here last year so to come out and get a win like that was great,” he said.

“Obviously when you’re drawn against the ex-pros you’re happy, although you know it’s going to be tough. But even though they had a lot of possession, I thought we played quite well. We’ve got some decent players.”

Former English football legend Andy Cole in action at the HKFC last night (Pic: Create Images/Soccer Sevens)

The Stars of Tomorrow

The HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens boasts a total of 32 teams taking part – 16 in the Main competition and 16 in the Masters.

The Main competition – which got underway today (Saturday) has become famous for unearthing the “stars of tomorrow” while the Masters section features former elite players from Europe’s top leagues.

The Main competition has a strong English Premier League presence with four-time Soccer Sevens champions Aston Villa, West Ham United, Birmingham City and debutants Sunderland.

Dutch giants Ajax are making their first appearance in the tournament and are joined by defending champions Glasgow Celtic and the team they defeated in last year’s final, city rivals Rangers.

The HKFC IP Global Soccer Sevens concludes tomorrow with a day pass (Sunday) priced at HK$120 per adult. Children under the age of 16 are admitted free.

Manchester United legend Andy Cole will lead his own all-star team at this year’s HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens.

The Old Trafford great will captain a star-studded line-up of former teammates and friends in the three-day spectacle at Hong Kong Football Club in May.

Cole, a key striker in United’s famous Treble-winning team of 1999, said he was looking forward to the challenge.

“I’m delighted to be coming to Hong Kong to take part in the HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens,” he said. “I’ll be bringing some old friends and teammates with me and we’re looking forward to enjoying ourselves and hopefully giving the fans plenty of entertainment.

“It is recognised as the premier sevens tournament worldwide and, while it’s played in a friendly spirit, we’ll certainly be coming with the aim of winning. As former professionals, we never lose that desire to do well and I can assure everyone in Hong Kong that we’ll be very competitive.”

The Andy Cole All Stars will feature former United players David May, Lee Martin, Clayton Blackmore and Andy Ritchie.

They will be joined by a trio of former England internationals – midfielder Michael Thomas, defender Ugo Ehiogu and goalkeeper Ian Walker, plus ex-Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair.

Thomas will be forever remembered as the scorer of one of the most famous goals in English football history, the last-gasp winner that won the league title for Arsenal against Liverpool at Anfield in 1989.

Manchester United great Andy Cole will grace the pitch at the Soccer Sevens (Pic:Two Up Front/Getty Images)

Cole won the Champions League, five Premier League titles and two FA Cups with United in a glittering career.

Capped 15 times for England, he also played for Newcastle, Blackburn, Fulham and Manchester City, among others, and he ranks second behind Alan Shearer in the all-time list of top Premiership scorers with 187 goals.

Cole is looking forward to returning to Hong Kong, having previously played in the territory on pre-season tours with United.

“I know from my years at Old Trafford that football fans in Hong Kong are extremely passionate and knowledgeable about the game so it will be a pleasure to play in front of them again,” he said.

And he promised he and his teammates would be out and about in the community during their Soccer Sevens trip.

“It’s also great to know that a key focus of the Soccer Sevens is youth football and community involvement,” he said. “We’re relishing the chance to meet people, conduct some coaching clinics and do our part to reach out to the fans. It promises to be a memorable week.”

The 2010 HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens will be held from 14-16 May with a total of 32 teams taking part, 16 in the Main competition and 16 in the Masters.

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 Andy Cole All Stars will be one of the top attractions in the Masters together with two other teams containing former Premiership players, the IP Global All Stars and the Hood All Stars.

The full line-up of teams in each competition will be announced next month, when the tournament draw will also be held.

Tickets for the tournament will go on sale shortly. As in previous years, all children under the age of 16 will be allowed in free.

I attended Day 3 of the HKFC IP Global International Soccer 7s today, just in time to watch the Cup Quarter Final games between Glasgow Rangers/West Ham United, Australian U18/Tuen Mun ProGoal, Aston Villa/Eastleigh FC and Celtic/Citizen FC.

As three-day tournaments go, Day 3 (knockout rounds & Finals) are normally the highlight of the tournament.  I was therefore rather disappointed to see the spartan crowd at an event billed as “the premier Soccer Sevens tournament in the world” (according to HKFC Chairman Fook Aun Chew).

Here are some of the pictures I took with my trusted old point-and-click:

The Australian U18 getting ready for their game against Tuen Mun ProGoal.

The ref conducts the toss, Aus U18 vs. locals Tuen Mun ProGoal.

Celtic legend Danny McGrain awaits his charges.

Danny McGrain puts his Celtic Boys through their warm-up drills.

Top Premiership ref Mike Riley in action at the Soccer Sevens.

Anxious Villa players support their mates from the sidelines.

The grey-haired goalie for the Yau Yee Masters Team

The official HKFC IP Gobal Soccer Sevens mascot was also launched at today’s press conference and Official Draw at the Hong Kong Football Club in Happy Valley.  Problem… the cute little thingy:

HAS NO NAME!

So here’s the deal folks: fancy 2 VIP Tickets to the Soccer Sevens ?

Plus:

a Soccer Ball from match ball sponsors Nike (get this) signed by the IP Gobal All Stars?

Sounds good?  Well, then, right this very moment, go to:

 http://www.hksoccersevens.com/luckdraw03.php and give the fluffy BIG thingy A NAME!

It’s as easy as that!  If your winning name is chosen, the prizes are all yours.

What are you waiting for?

Do it.

Have a look:

The official draw for this month’s HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens took place at the HKFC’s Sportsman’s Bar today.

IP Global marketing director Julia Wilde and tournament organising committee chairman Tony Bratsanos display the new trophy for the 2009 HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens.

This is what you should know about this exciting tournament:

Venue:  HK Football Club (Happy Valley, Hong Kong)

Dates:    Friday May 29 to Sunday May 31, 2009

Tickets

Friday May 29: FREE ENTRANCE

Saturday-Sunday May 30-31: Adults HK$ 200 (2 day ticket)

Saturday OR Sunday only: Adults HK$ 120 (1-day ticket)

Children under 16: FREE for the whole tournament.

Schedule of play

Friday, May 29:     6:00 pm – 8:30 pm (approx.)

Saturday May 30: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm (approx.)

Sunday May 31:     8:00 am – 7:00 pm (approx.)

Sanctioning body

The Hong Kong Football Association

Title Sponsor

IP Global

Tournament format

2 Competitions: Main & Masters with 16 teams each.

Each competition has 4 Pools of 4 Teams for round-robin matches.

Then, knock-out matches for the:

* Cup, Shield & Plate (Main Competition) and

* Cup & Plate (Masters Competition).

See you at the HKFC at the end of May!

Hong Kong-based international property company IP Global has been unveiled as the new title sponsor of the territory’s famous Soccer Sevens.  The fast-expanding firm has agreed to back the 2009 tournament with an option for a multi-year extension.  “We are delighted to welcome IP Global on board and we anticipate this being the start of a very happy relationship with the Soccer Sevens,” said tournament organising committee chairman Tony Bratsanos.   ”It is no secret that in the current economic climate, sports events are struggling to attract or retain investment, which makes IP Global’s commitment to the Soccer Sevens even more valued and appreciated.” 

IP Global managing director Tim Murphy (centre) receives a personalised football shirt from Tony Bratsanos (left), chairman of the 2009 HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens organising committee, and Kwok Ka Ming, director of international relations for the Hong Kong Football Association.

The 2009 HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens will be held at Hong Kong Football Club from May 29-31.

The tournament has earned a reputation for unearthing future stars with players such as Gabriel Agbonlahor, Anton Ferdinand, David Bentley and Glen Johnson making their names in recent years.

“IP Global is honoured to be the title sponsor of this year’s Soccer Sevens,” said managing director Tim Murphy.  “For me personally, it is a moment of great satisfaction as football has always been my favourite sport and the one closest to my heart.  “We are fully committed to working with Tony and his team to help the Soccer Sevens grow, both on and off the pitch.

“We are pleased to assist in bringing world famous football teams to Hong Kong, giving the passionate fans here a truly outstanding sporting spectacle to enjoy.  “And for us at IP Global, the tournament provides an excellent platform for raising our profile, interacting with our clients and enhancing our role in the Hong Kong community.”

IP Global’s title sponsorship was announced in a press conference on Tuesday, May 10 at Hong Kong Football Club.  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.  Organisers also confirmed that defending champions Aston Villa will be returning in search of their third straight title and fifth overall.  They will be joined in the Main competition by fellow English Premier League club West Ham United and Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers. 

The Masters competition will feature a squad of former Premier League players called the IP Global All-Stars and a debut appearance by the Polish All-Stars.  A total of 32 teams will take part in the Soccer Sevens, 16 in the Main competition and 16 in the Masters. Each competition will feature a pool round followed by knockout games for the Cup, Shield and Plate (in the Main) and Cup and Plate (in the Masters). 

When?

Play will take place from 6:00pm to 8:30pm on Friday, May 29; from 8:00am to 8:00pm on Saturday, May 30; and from 8:00am to 7:00pm on Sunday, May 31.

How much?

Entry on May 29 is free for all spectators, while all children under the age of 16 are allowed in free throughout the tournament. Adult tickets will cost HK$200 for two days (May 30 and May 31 sold together) or HK$120 for one day.

Tickets?

Tickets can be bought from May 9 via the official website – www.hksoccersevens.com – or through Laxton Marketing Consultants (Tel: 2866 3110), or they can be purchased at the public entrance during the tournament.