Urawa on sevens mission
J-League side Urawa Red Diamonds will be looking for back-to-back titles at the HKFC Philips Lighting International Sevens, which this year will be extended to a third day over the weekend of May 19-21.
Urawa Red Diamonds won the sevens at the first time of asking last year and they will be looking to Argentine teenager Sergio Escudero for inspiration after the 17-year-old helped his team to victory with one of the displays of the tournament.
'Sergio's on the verge of playing in the senior team and I think he'll be back to help his team defend their title,' said organising committee chairman Tony Bratsanos.
Escudero scored a wonder third goal - his fifth of the tournament - to put the icing on the cake in the Red Diamonds' comprehensive 3-0 victory over Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in the 2005 final and the Japanese side, who fielded a line-up with an average age of just 17, are confident of a repeat success.
Previously a two-day affair, the tournament will now cover three, beginning on the Friday.
The sevens will feature more than 20 international club sides competing in two competitions: the main tournament and the masters tournament.
The main tournament will showcase the top young professionals from the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Rangers as well as local Xiangxue Sun Hei, Kitchee and Happy Valley.
The masters tournament will also provide fans with the opportunity to watch big-name former pros such as as ex-England international Des Walker, former Newcastle players John Beresford and Robert Lee, and - organisers hope - former England striker Peter Beardsley.
DRAW
Main competition, League A: Urawa Red Diamonds, Glasgow Rangers, KFC Tokyo, Kitchee League B: PSV Eindhoven, HKFC, Shanghai Shooters, Celtic. League C: Aston Villa, Happy Valley, Yau Hee Select, Wimbourne Town. League D: Manchester United, Arsenal, Xiangxue Sun Hei, Chairman Select.
Masters competition, League A: Lorenz All-Stars, Jade Rattan, Bexton Football Club, Swans FC. League B: Philips All-Stars, Team Bondi, KCC, Southampton. League C: Hood All-Stars, Chairman Select Veterans, Wimbourne Vets, Happy Valley. League D: Charlton All-Stars, Spirit All-Stars, SCC, HKFC Veterans.
