Short, snappy and seven-sational. Yes, it is that time of the year when the beautiful game brings a host of stars, old and new, for the 2001 HKFC Philips Lighting International Soccer Sevens.
To be held on May 25-27 at the Hong Kong Football Club, Sports Road, Happy Valley, this year's Soccer Sevens has attracted a star-studded line-up of international veterans and club players from Europe including Enzo Scifo of Belgium, Dutchman Rene Van der Kerkhof and 1990 World Cup winner Uwe Bein of Germany.
And to add more lustre are a complete line-up of Liverpool legends such as Phil Neal, Paul Walsh, David Fairclough, Alan Kennedy (left), Gary Gillespie, John Wark and Bob Bolder.
Asia's challenge at the 16-team tournament will be led by Shanghai's Shen Hua and top local clubs South China and Instant-Dict while Europe's bid will be spearheaded by young guns from Arsenal, Aston Villa, Glasgow Celtic and Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.
'We have built on the success of last year's tournament when we had two teams from the top flight of European football - this year we have four as well as a complete team of Liverpool veterans from the club's golden era,' says Tony Bratsanos, HKFC chairman of soccer.
