HKFC Soccer Sevens: Premier League’s Brighton survive bizarre play-off after humbling by Hong Kong Rangers
- Fulham, holders Aston Villa and Glasgow Rangers among those to join Hong Kong Rangers in last eight
- Hong Kong under-20s drop into Plate competition and PFA All Stars’ former English Premier League veterans into Masters semis
Hong Kong Rangers put up the performance of the day at the HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens, overcoming Brighton & Hove Albion as they went unbeaten in the group stage.
That 1-0 loss for Brighton, and a later draw with Yokohama F. Marinos, meant that they finished level on every metric with the Japanese, behind group winners Rangers, forcing a dramatic four-a-side golden-goal play-off with Marinos that the side from England won.
Rangers will play Newcastle United in the quarter finals at 11.30am on Sunday, while Brighton will face Leicester City, newly promoted to the English Premier League.
Brighton stayed alive by the skin of their teeth after Luca Barrington struck to earn a 1-1 draw with Marinos in the final minute of the teams’ closing group match.
Both sides earlier lost 1-0 to Rangers, the local side celebrating notable English and Japanese scalps, then beat Singapore Football Club by the same scoreline.
Forward Luizinho headed home a dinked second-half delivery from Lau Chi-lok for the goal that earned Rangers’ landmark victory over Brighton.
The English team have attracted plaudits for savvy recruitment and a youth system that have propelled the club into the Premier League’s upper reaches. In March, Brighton’s former academy manager, John Morling, was appointed technical director of Hong Kong’s football association. Here the Seagulls saw some of what Morling now works with.
Forward Lau said they had “trained every day to be ready for this match” since beating Kitchee in the Sapling Cup final 10 days ago.
“We wanted to enjoy it, and win,” the Hong Kong squad member said. “Hong Kong football is going up, but it is not easy for football players here. There are many problems, we can’t just train and focus on football – we have to work and do other things.”
Goalscorer Luizinho has been with Tai Po since November 2022. His contract with the district club will expire on May 31, and the 28-year-old grabbed his chance to impress in Rangers colours from Lau’s cross.
“This is a chance to impress the Hong Kong coach,” Lau said. “I want to play in the team. I must keep my style, and fight with all my life for my chance.”
Hong Kong’s under-20 team failed to score in their three matches. They lost 3-0 to both Fulham and Glasgow Rangers, following a scoreless draw with hosts Hong Kong Football Club.
Elsewhere in the main tournament, holders Aston Villa set up a quarter final tie against Scottish Premier League side Rangers, and West Ham will play Fulham.
Villa recorded a 100 per cent record in their group and Omari Kellyman, their star man here last year, said performances in Hong Kong could help his push for a first-team spot back home.
“[The Soccer Sevens] lets me show what I can do as an individual, my personal strengths – I think it’s a good chance to showcase that,” he said.
The 18-year-old midfielder made six appearances for the Villa first team last season and is hoping for more next season.
In the women’s tournament, Hong Kong Football Club had a poor start. The home side won 2-0 against Macau Football Association before a goalless draw with Wofoo Social Enterprises and a 3-0 loss to Grace Citizen.
Hong Kong will play Sha Tin Sports Association in the Plate semi-final. The other semi-final sees Soar 247 FC face Macau.
In the women’s Cup semi-finals, Kitchee Sports Club will face Wofoo and Chelsea FC Soccer School meet Grace Citizen.
The Masters, for players aged 35 and over, will see PFA All Stars, made up of former English Premier League stars, face Wallsend Boys Club HK in the semis. Hong Kong FC Masters take on Singapore Football Club Masters in the other game.
