https://www.scmp.com/rss/324798/feed The Premier League Asia Trophy is a pre-season tournament organised by the English Premier League held in Asia every two years. The 2017 edition was played at Hong Kong Stadium and featured Liverpool, Leicester City, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion compete for the trophy. The 2019 version will be played in Nanjing and Shanghai and will feature Wolves, West Ham, Newcastle and Manchester City. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com On January 10, 1982, a young Diego Maradona was among the Boca Juniors side to play Seiko at Hong Kong Stadium, which the Argentine tourists won 2-0. Maradona, then 21, pulled the strings in a 2-0 victory in which Seiko finished goalless despite having brought in Fifa 1978 World Cup winner Gerd Muller for the game. That match was just one example of some of the greatest footballers to have ever played the game showing their skills off in Hong Kong over the years, either on tours or in the annual... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3117126/maradona-leo-messi-and-son-heung-min-hong-kongs-football-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3117126/maradona-leo-messi-and-son-heung-min-hong-kongs-football-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Jan 2021 10:27:40 +0000 Barcelona, Cristiano Ronaldo and the English Premier League were the big winners in the annual Red Card Report on the success of football in penetrating the Chinese digital market. The report, released in Shanghai on Thursday, also saw Chelsea become the Premier League’s most successful team in China, leapfrogging champions Manchester City and former favourites Manchester United. There was good news for United as they remain the most-followed international team on Weibo. Their former player,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3046234/cristiano-ronaldo-barcelona-and-premier-league-winning-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3046234/cristiano-ronaldo-barcelona-and-premier-league-winning-china?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Jan 2020 13:00:11 +0000 Arsenal’s response to Mesut Ozil’s comments about China’s treatment of the Uygurs was condemned as much as the player’s views were by the Chinese authorities whose state television network didn’t broadcast Arsenal’s game against Manchester City. China’s foreign ministry spokesman said: “He was misled by fake news. Xinjiang is enjoying political stability, a flourishing economy, ethnic unity, a social harmony. We welcome him to visit Xinjiang.” Arsenal distanced themselves from Ozil’s comments... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3042470/premier-league-clubs-focus-china-market-means-theyll-keep-making?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3042470/premier-league-clubs-focus-china-market-means-theyll-keep-making?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Dec 2019 10:03:35 +0000 Liverpool chief executive Peter Moore has lifted the lid on the reasons behind the Premier League title-challenger’s decision to return to the US for its preseason tour this summer. The Merseyside club had been part of a group of sides who alternated their preseason programmes between Asia and the US in recent years, and were most recently in Hong Kong for their summer tour in 2017 before going on to reach the Uefa Champions League final the following season. Moore, who was in Hong Kong to meet... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3007843/liverpool-ceo-peter-moore-reveals-why-club-wont-be-returning-hong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3007843/liverpool-ceo-peter-moore-reveals-why-club-wont-be-returning-hong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Apr 2019 09:01:16 +0000 Premier League champions Manchester City will visit Hong Kong in July to play an exhibition match against a leading Hong Kong side, believed to be champions Kitchee. Pep Guardiola’s side will be heading to China for the biennial Asia Trophy and it is understood they will then come to Hong Kong for an exhibition match before going on to Japan. City are to play Yokohama F. Marinos on July 27 at the Nissan Stadium. City will arrive in Hong Kong on July 21 for the match on July 24 at the 40,000-seat... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3003300/premier-league-champions-manchester-city-play-hong-kong-july-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3003300/premier-league-champions-manchester-city-play-hong-kong-july-after?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Mar 2019 06:20:50 +0000 Chinese Liverpool supporters could be in line to see their heroes in the Middle Kingdom for the second time in three years at the end of the current English Premier League season. Media reports in Chile claimed the Reds are set to take part in a triangular event involving Chilean side Colo Colo and new Chinese Super League champions Shanghai SIPG next summer. Jurgen Klopp’s men were last seen in the Far East when they played two games in Hong Kong as part of the Premier League Asia Trophy 2017... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2172895/liverpool-set-summer-return-china-jurgen-klopps-men-lined-face-super?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2172895/liverpool-set-summer-return-china-jurgen-klopps-men-lined-face-super?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Nov 2018 04:05:15 +0000 It’s funny to think Liverpool’s journey to this weekend’s Champions League final in Kiev began with a makeshift night-time training session at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground. An amber rain warning had forced the club to cancel plans for an open training session earlier that afternoon for local fans at Mong Kok Stadium last July. “You think you cannot train but we did, under the most difficult of circumstances,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said in Hong Kong. “I love it – I want to create... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2147063/liverpools-champions-league-final-charge-has-it-roots-hong-kong-where?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2147063/liverpools-champions-league-final-charge-has-it-roots-hong-kong-where?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 May 2018 06:45:15 +0000 When I offered a couple of spare tickets for Liverpool’s second game at last month’s Asia Trophy to my Reds-obsessed mate, I thought he would have snapped my hands off. Liverpool had not been in Hong Kong for 10 years, and he has lived here as an expat from England even longer. He thanked me but informed me the atmosphere at the first game had been rubbish. Luckily for the organisers of the Premier League pre-season event, there were tens of thousands of other Liverpool fans in Hong Kong who... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2106552/philippe-coutinhos-apathy-sums-how-dull-asia-trophy-needs-overhaul?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2106552/philippe-coutinhos-apathy-sums-how-dull-asia-trophy-needs-overhaul?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Aug 2017 09:02:16 +0000 There was much at stake when Hong Kong hosted the Premier League Asia Trophy last week – and not just for the top English teams competing. The last time the city hosted the tournament, four years ago, the poor state of the Hong Kong Stadium pitch attracted criticism and made international headlines. At the time, it was difficult to imagine Hong Kong being trusted to stage the competition again. This time, heavy rain ahead of the tournament interrupted preparations and prompted fears of another... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2104102/host-hong-kong-winner-premier-league-asia-trophy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2104102/host-hong-kong-winner-premier-league-asia-trophy?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Jul 2017 20:34:57 +0000 Hong Kong officials are hopeful that the next edition of the English Premier League Asia Trophy will be staged in the city following the highly successful hosting of the 2017 event. For the first time in all four editions of the tournament held in the city since 2007, the 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium was full on both days as fans enjoyed two great evenings of Premier League soccer featuring Liverpool, Leicester City, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion. “We can’t ask for more. The fans are... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103772/officials-hopeful-premier-league-asia-trophy-will-return-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103772/officials-hopeful-premier-league-asia-trophy-will-return-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Jul 2017 09:14:47 +0000 Relive all the action from the final day of the Premier League Asia Trophy from Hong Kong Stadium. https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103726/premier-league-asia-trophy-follow-liverpool-live-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103726/premier-league-asia-trophy-follow-liverpool-live-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Jul 2017 10:00:15 +0000 Liverpool’s legends took in the view from Victoria Peak on Friday morning, and John Barnes in particular was clearly impressed. “Can you walk up here?” he asked the Post as we queued in the terminal to take a tram back down to Central. I told him I hike up there from Sai Ying Pun often – perhaps an exaggeration, which Barnes certainly called me out on. Patting my belly, he said: “It sure looks like it. Are there a couple of McDonald’s on the way up?” Barnes & Co where in jovial mood as part of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103642/liverpool-take-view-victoria-peak-legends-come-along-hong-kong-ride?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103642/liverpool-take-view-victoria-peak-legends-come-along-hong-kong-ride?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Jul 2017 10:50:35 +0000 Jurgen Klopp is usually the one to turn on the charm but this time it is Hong Kong that has won him over. The German was understandably a little testy during the first two days of Liverpool’s pre-season trip to the city for the Premier League Asia Trophy, as rain played havoc with his training schedule. “To be honest with you, I don’t like to travel in pre-season,” was Klopp’s frank admission at Friday’s press conference in Wan Chai, ahead of Saturday’s final against Leicester City. His eyes... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/2103634/smile-back-jurgen-klopps-face-liverpools-hong-kong-havoc-subsides?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/2103634/smile-back-jurgen-klopps-face-liverpools-hong-kong-havoc-subsides?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Jul 2017 09:53:34 +0000 The cynics may see Zhang Yuning’s move to West Bromwich Albion as a mere marketing ploy but manager Tony Pulis believes the Chinese striker can light up the English Premier League. West Brom’s millionaire Chinese owner Lai Guochuan signed Zhang from Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem on a three-year contract this summer, but the 20-year-old starlet was immediately sent out on a two-year loan to German club Werder Bremen. However, Pulis believes Zhang has the quality to make it to England ahead of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103571/china-star-zhang-yuning-has-what-it-takes-light-premier-league-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103571/china-star-zhang-yuning-has-what-it-takes-light-premier-league-says?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Jul 2017 05:32:04 +0000 The English Premier League’s Asia Trophy, back in Hong Kong this week, is as close a taste to the ‘real thing’ that many fans on this side of the globe can get. But with the amount of money sloshing around China’s sports industry, can it be long before actual Premier League games are played in Hong Kong, Beijing, or Shanghai? If it were up to the league’s executive chairman, Richard Scudamore, it would have happened long ago. He says his member clubs still want to play abroad, but a proposal to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103426/english-premier-league-chief-still-has-burning-desire-play-competitive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103426/english-premier-league-chief-still-has-burning-desire-play-competitive?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Jul 2017 09:01:17 +0000 The English Premier League’s top man gave a glowing appraisal of Hong Kong’s handling of the Asia Trophy – though he admitted he feared a repeat of the farcical scenes of 2013 was on the cards as the city was lashed by non-stop rain earlier in the week. Richard Scudamore, the league’s executive chairman, said he had effectively crossed Hong Kong off the list for hosting the biennial event after the 2013 edition attracted negative headlines all over the world when the Hong Kong Stadium pitch was... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103412/english-premier-league-chief-gives-hong-kongs-asia-trophy-organisation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103412/english-premier-league-chief-gives-hong-kongs-asia-trophy-organisation?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Jul 2017 06:02:57 +0000 After all the promo junkets, marketing opportunities, “fan engagement” and “brand activation’, some football actually broke out around the Premier League Asia Trophy on Wednesday night – and it was the perfect result as far as locals were concerned. For the Hong Kong crowd, this might as well be called the Liverpool Asia Trophy, and they were sent home happy after seeing new signing Dominic Solanke and Divock Origi score against Crystal Palace to send their team into Saturday’s final against... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2103334/liverpool-fans-happy-orange-reach-asia-trophy-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2103334/liverpool-fans-happy-orange-reach-asia-trophy-final?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Jul 2017 15:15:06 +0000 Fans have travelled from far away to a packed Hong Kong Stadium for day one of the Premier League Asia Trophy on Wednesday. Londoners Malcolm Bunn and wife Elaine had come just to see their beloved Crystal Palace, who were in action against Liverpool.  “We’re mad,” said Malcolm, who was born minutes away from Selhurst Park. “We’ve always wanted to visit Hong Kong, so this was the perfect opportunity.”   “We got soaked yesterday, and now we’re in long-sleeves in this hot weather. It’s not a good... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103315/were-mad-overseas-fans-flock-hong-kong-stadium-watch-their-heroes-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103315/were-mad-overseas-fans-flock-hong-kong-stadium-watch-their-heroes-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Jul 2017 12:20:31 +0000 Day 2 of the Premier League Asia Trophy live at Kong Stadium. https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103282/premier-league-asia-trophy-follow-all-action-live-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103282/premier-league-asia-trophy-follow-all-action-live-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Jul 2017 09:45:30 +0000 If Jurgen Klopp seems a little testy, it’s understandable – he landed with his Liverpool squad in Hong Kong just hours ago and has been on the media and promotional treadmill pretty much since stepping off the plane. The German would much rather be back at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground drilling his players for a fresh tilt at the English Premier League title, but in the modern football world, “fan engagement” and “brand activation” on the other side of the globe takes precedence. Other... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103115/exclusive-interview-liverpool-boss-jurgen-klopp-his-targets-next-season?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103115/exclusive-interview-liverpool-boss-jurgen-klopp-his-targets-next-season?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Jul 2017 04:00:00 +0000 “If it would stop raining it would be nice,” said a frustrated Juergen Klopp on Tuesday as Hong Kong rainstorms played havoc with Liverpool’s preseason preparations – but the Hong Kong FA insisted they were confident the Premier League Asia Trophy would not be affected. Liverpool were forced to cancel a training session at Mong Kok Stadium, at which local fans had been invited to attend, after the Hong Kong Observatory issued amber rainstorm, landslip, strong monsoon and flood warnings on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103109/make-it-stop-pleads-jurgen-klopp-hong-kong-rain-plays-havoc-liverpools?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103109/make-it-stop-pleads-jurgen-klopp-hong-kong-rain-plays-havoc-liverpools?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Jul 2017 09:03:07 +0000 West Bromwich Albion are back in the Far East for the first time in 39 years, but for manager Tony Pulis, this week’s Premier League Asia Trophy provides a more personal trip down memory lane. Three years after West Brom became the first British team to tour China for three weeks in 1978, Pulis moved to Hong Kong for a brief spell playing at Happy Valley Athletic Association, who now play in the second tier. The 1981 move was set up by former West Brom manager Ron Wylie, who contacted Pulis... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103104/west-bromwich-albion-boss-tony-pulis-happy-be-back-hong-kong-36-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103104/west-bromwich-albion-boss-tony-pulis-happy-be-back-hong-kong-36-years?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Jul 2017 07:24:39 +0000 Liverpool cancelled Tuesday’s planned open training session at Mong Kok Stadium as heavy rain in Hong Kong wreaked havoc on their preparations for the Premier League Asia Trophy, while also raising further questions over the state of the Hong Kong Stadium pitch just a day before the tournament opener. Juergen Klopp’s side were due to train in front of their “most passionate supporters” at 4pm at the 7,000-seater venue, having arrived in Hong Kong on Monday. But despite the amber rainstorm... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2103061/rain-rain-go-away-weather-forces-liverpool-cancel-mong-kok-opening?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2103061/rain-rain-go-away-weather-forces-liverpool-cancel-mong-kok-opening?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Jul 2017 04:26:13 +0000 Brendon Batson had experienced racist chants and abuse ever since he arrived in England as a nine-year-old. He’s even been refused entry into nightclubs because of his colour. So, when he donned the West Bromwich Albion jersey and took to The Hawthorns pitch as a rare black player in 1970s English football, the racial abuse was something he was quite used to. The only difference was that, on the field, the volume was cranked up by the thousands. Batson was among the pioneering footballers of the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103011/racism-china-and-famous-man-utd-game-brendon-batson-talks-about-life?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103011/racism-china-and-famous-man-utd-game-brendon-batson-talks-about-life?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Jul 2017 22:00:15 +0000 An official press release describing the design of Liverpool’s new third kit as ‘bold’ was certainly an apt choice, given the whole pizzazz that went with unveiling it. The venue for the launch was the Ritz-Carlton Hotel’s Ozone Bar – one of the highest rooftop bars in the world atop one of the city’s most iconic buildings in West Kowloon. So high is the bar, on the 118th floor, that ears pop in the lift on the way up the International Commerce Centre. Two club staff members who shared the lift... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2102990/liverpool-unveil-bold-and-toxic-new-third-kit-overblown-hong-kong-hotel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2102990/liverpool-unveil-bold-and-toxic-new-third-kit-overblown-hong-kong-hotel?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Jul 2017 11:09:15 +0000 Former midfielder Steve McManaman has urged Liverpool fans not to panic despite Juergen Klopp’s side arriving in Hong Kong for this week’s Asia Trophy with just two new additions to a squad that finished fourth in the Premier League last season. Former Chelsea midfielder Mohamed Salah and teenage striker Dominic Solanke landed with their new teammates in Hong Kong on Monday ahead of Wednesday’s tournament opener against Crystal Palace. And while the likes of local rivals Everton have been one of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2102982/dont-panic-steve-mcmanaman-calls-liverpool-patience-crazy-transfer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2102982/dont-panic-steve-mcmanaman-calls-liverpool-patience-crazy-transfer?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Jul 2017 10:33:36 +0000 Juergen Klopp admitted the much-maligned Hong Kong Stadium pitch was a concern as his team prepare for the Premier League Asia Trophy, but the Liverpool manager was hoping it would hold up. The last time the tournament was held in Hong Kong in 2013 there were embarrassing headlines all over the world as the pitch became a quagmire branded dangerous by the competing teams’ managers. It has been extensively – and expensively – relaid at a cost of HK$30 million, and officials at the Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2102942/liverpool-boss-juergen-klopp-hopeful-hk30m-hong-kong-stadium-pitch-can?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2102942/liverpool-boss-juergen-klopp-hopeful-hk30m-hong-kong-stadium-pitch-can?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Jul 2017 07:17:52 +0000 Liverpool were mobbed by adoring fans as they landed at Hong Kong Airport on Monday morning. The English giants are in town for the Premier League Asia Trophy, also featuring Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City at Hong Kong Stadium on Wednesday and Saturday. The team were last in Hong Kong in 1997 and it was clear that absence had made hearts grow fonder as hundreds of fans made the pilgrimage to the airport to get close to their heroes. Outside the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in West... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2102915/liverpool-mobbed-fans-hong-kong-airport-ahead-premier-league-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2102915/liverpool-mobbed-fans-hong-kong-airport-ahead-premier-league-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Jul 2017 03:52:38 +0000 This week’s Premier League Asia Trophy in Hong Kong is a step into the unknown, Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp admitted. Klopp will be visiting Asia for the first time and said he had little idea what to expect. “Let me go for the first time in my life to Asia, let me feel the circumstances, let me feel the temperature and all that stuff, so I have no idea. Then I can know what we can expect, not before then,” the German told the Liverpool Echo. The last time the Asia Trophy was played in Hong... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2102841/hong-kong-trip-step-unknown-admits-liverpool-boss-juergen-klopp-teams?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2102841/hong-kong-trip-step-unknown-admits-liverpool-boss-juergen-klopp-teams?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Jul 2017 07:28:32 +0000 Just before the official announcement that the Asia Trophy would be played entirely in Hong Kong, the English Premier League was still trying to figure out the logistics of sharing the tournament with mainland China. It is testament to the ease of working in Hong Kong, and the professionalism of the organisers here, that all four games will be held in our city. But it will have been a hard decision. Like any major brand, the Premier League is eager to crack that China market, with its... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2097432/real-hong-kong-football-fans-let-down-premier-league-asia-trophy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2097432/real-hong-kong-football-fans-let-down-premier-league-asia-trophy?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Jun 2017 01:00:45 +0000 Football Association chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak heaped pressure on the government’s finance committee and their final approval of HK$31.9 billion Kai Tak Sports Park project by claiming the high demand for Premier League Asia Trophy tickets proves Hong Kong could easily fill the proposed 50,000-seat stadium. Over 50,000 tickets for next month’s two-day tournament at Hong Kong Stadium involving Liverpool, Leicester City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace were snapped up within 24 hours... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2096932/if-you-build-it-they-will-come-premier-league-asia-trophy-demand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2096932/if-you-build-it-they-will-come-premier-league-asia-trophy-demand?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Jun 2017 06:45:15 +0000 “I don’t even know what day it is,” jokes former Liverpool defender Phil Babb as he sits down for an interview at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai. He’s been in town for 10 days or so, first taking part in the HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens Masters tournament, then helping to promote the Reds’ participation in the Premier League Asia Trophy next month. He sat down with the SCMP to answer some questions about Liverpool’s upcoming trip to Hong Kong – and what Juergen Klopp needs to do to go... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2096663/qa-ex-liverpool-star-phil-babb-clubs-upcoming-trip-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2096663/qa-ex-liverpool-star-phil-babb-clubs-upcoming-trip-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Jun 2017 05:30:15 +0000 A full house is guaranteed for both days of the Premier League Asia Trophy in Hong Kong after tickets were snapped up within 24 hours of going on sale on Friday. More than 25,000 tickets were available for each day of the tournament, which features matches on July 19 and 22. For the first time, four Premier League sides will play at Hong Kong Stadium in So Kon Po. “The Premier League has fantastic support across Asia and none better than in Hong Kong,” said Premier League managing director... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2096701/gone-six-hours-all-25000-tickets-sold-final-day-premier-league-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2096701/gone-six-hours-all-25000-tickets-sold-final-day-premier-league-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Jun 2017 12:45:30 +0000 The much-maligned Cityline website seemed to be struggling with demand as football fans in Hong Kong – and around the world – tried to buy tickets for the Premier League Asia Trophy on Friday. Tickets went on sale at 2pm, but even from 10am the website was displaying ‘too busy’ error messages. The site declared: “All internet ticketing sessions are currently taken up by customers. Please access again by clicking the ‘Retry’ button below. Thank you for your patience.” On Thursday, a Cityline... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2096640/cityline-website-struggles-cope-tickets-premier-league-asia-trophy-go?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2096640/cityline-website-struggles-cope-tickets-premier-league-asia-trophy-go?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Jun 2017 07:00:15 +0000 The English Premier League is confident Hong Kong will put on a terrific show for the Asia Trophy next month – after the last edition hosted in the city attracted headlines around the world for all the wrong reasons. Local favourites Liverpool, 2015-16 champions Leicester City, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion will take part in the tournament, on July 19 and 22. The last time Hong Kong hosted, in 2013, days of rainstorms turned the much-maligned surface at Hong Kong Stadium into a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2096534/why-english-premier-league-confident-there-will-be-no-repeat-fiasco?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2096534/why-english-premier-league-confident-there-will-be-no-repeat-fiasco?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jun 2017 09:45:00 +0000 Hong Kong football fans are bracing themselves for more frustration when tickets for the Premier League Trophy go on sale on Friday. Tickets for the highly anticipated event, featuring Liverpool, Leicester City, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion, will be sold through the Cityline website, which has a long track record of crashing under high demand. Fans were furious in 2015, when the website was down for most of the day when sought-after tickets for Hong Kong v China went on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2096473/hong-kong-football-fans-braced-f5-reload-challenge-frustration-premier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2096473/hong-kong-football-fans-braced-f5-reload-challenge-frustration-premier?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jun 2017 04:45:00 +0000 The new HK$30 million pitch at Hong Kong Stadium will guarantee no repeat of the disaster of the last Premier League Asia Trophy when the popular event returns this summer, local football chief Brian Leung Hung-tak said on Wednesday. Hong Kong Football Association chairman Leung ruled out a second venue when Liverpool, Leicester City, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion feature in the two-day event on July 19 and 22. “It’s only the Hong Kong Stadium and that’s it for the two match days,”... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2096389/no-repeat-killer-pitch-premier-league-asia-trophy-summer-vows-local?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2096389/no-repeat-killer-pitch-premier-league-asia-trophy-summer-vows-local?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 31 May 2017 11:00:45 +0000 Newly crowned Hong Kong Premier League champions Kitchee will not feature in the Asia Trophy this summer, with Liverpool and Leicester City headlining a group of four Premier League sides in an event that will be without a local representive for the first time. Fellow English Premier League sides Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion are set to complete the line-up for July’s tournament, which is making a fourth stop in Hong Kong following previous tournaments in 2007, 2011 and 2013. But... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2093253/hong-kong-sides-miss-out-chance-face-premier-league-clubs-asia-trophy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2093253/hong-kong-sides-miss-out-chance-face-premier-league-clubs-asia-trophy?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 May 2017 09:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong may have to stage the forthcoming Asia Trophy on its own after organisers struck problems in fixing a match day in China. Headed by English Premier League (EPL) side Liverpool, with Leicester and Southampton the two other possible participants, the biennial event will be split into a two-day city competition for the first time since its inception in 2003 with the Premier League’s eager to further promote its brand in China. However, the two matches in Shanghai, scheduled for July 22,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2088233/hong-kong-could-stage-asia-trophy-its-own-shanghai-fixtures-facing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2088233/hong-kong-could-stage-asia-trophy-its-own-shanghai-fixtures-facing?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Apr 2017 12:15:45 +0000 Premier League champions Leicester City will likely play alongside Liverpool when the Premier League Asia Trophy returns to Hong Kong this summer, but the chances of La Liga giants Real Madrid joining them are unlikely. Hong Kong Football Association chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak said the 10-time Champions League winners did not wish to come to Hong Kong after their participation in the International Champions Cup in North America in August and therefore the plan had been scrapped. “They don’t... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2080437/premier-league-champions-leicester-city-set-play-hong-kong-summer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2080437/premier-league-champions-leicester-city-set-play-hong-kong-summer?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Mar 2017 05:30:30 +0000 Premier league giants and local favourites Liverpool look set to return to Hong Kong for the English Premier League’s Asia Trophy this summer. The Hong Kong Football Association is still finalising details with the Premier League for the July event, but a source familiar with negotiations said the five-time European champions and local favourites, will be top of the bill. “They don’t make too many appearances in China but have been a household name there for many years,” the source said. “Also,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2064597/local-favourites-liverpool-set-come-hong-kong-premier-league-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2064597/local-favourites-liverpool-set-come-hong-kong-premier-league-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Jan 2017 06:00:45 +0000