The Rational Ref | Plenty of potential for Hong Kong Soccer Sevens
The Soccer Sevens could one day rival the rugby Sevens if the community puts in the effort to help grow the wonderful event
The HKFC Citibank International Soccer Sevens prides itself on earning a reputation as the world's best seven-a-side competition where fans can see the stars of tomorrow and legends of the game in one exciting event. Here's what we learned last weekend:
Throughout the tournament Beardsley's conduct was exemplary, unlike some of his teammates
This annual invitational event started in 1999 and has welcomed many illustrious current and former players, as well as respected referees, to provide fantastic entertainment over 21/2 days. The competition is divided into two parts; the Main tournament and the Masters tournament. The intimacy of the Hong Kong Football Club venue allows fans to get close to their heroes and to "scout" for potential English Premier League stars.
Peter Beardsley, Teddy Sheringham, Darren Anderton, Tim Bredbury and other CLA Discovery Bay players turned up with no shin pads and also wearing their wedding bands in the first match of the Masters tournament. When Rational Ref asked them to put on pads and take off their rings, the initial noncompliance was astounding. What's more, a non-playing squad member, bizarrely dressed in full kit complete with shin pads, even had the gall to tell me where to go. At this point, Beardsley stepped up and said they were told they didn't have to wear shin pads in the Masters tournament. This may or may not be true but considering most of the team had no shin pads, Rational Ref gave them the benefit of the doubt. However, I insisted they at least roll up their socks and tape up their rings to give some semblance of safety. It took time to find some tape but Beardsley calmed down his teammates and thanked Rational Ref by saying: "You've done your job, now we'll do ours." Throughout the tournament Beardsley's conduct was exemplary, unlike some of his teammates.
. Evergreen Finn Jari Litmanen may still be fit but has turned goal-shy. Several times he had the chance to shoot and score for Aegon Ajax All-Stars, but instead chose to either pass to a teammate or take his time and thus lose the opportunity to score. Has he lost his shooting boots? In contrast, teammate Kenneth Perez was on fire all three days amassing an incredible 11 goals, the competition's highest total.
Everyone knows Sheringham and Darren Anderton regard Hong Kong as an exciting place to party from their much-hyped exploits in 1996 just before their successful Euros tournament with the England squad. So when Sheringham failed to show up first thing Saturday for CLA Discovery Bay's 9am match and, looking worse for wear, warmed up for the next match, those in the know knew. One Spurs supporter asked for a photograph and then, to lighten the mood, quipped: "Rumour has it you had a good time last night". At that, Sheringham shot him a murderous look that said it all. Sheringham was late again and missed Sunday's early kick-off, which did not go down well with his teammates.
The Soccer Sevens' mantra is "safety first", so at any sign of lightning or heavy downpours, play is postponed. This delay happened on a couple of occasions much to the bewilderment of the Scottish players who thought nothing of Hong Kong's inclement weather.
As well as playing in the Masters tournament, Beardsley is a youth coach and obviously inspires Newcastle United's academy players. After fulfilling his duties with Disco Bay, Beardsley prepared the warm-up drills for United's players, who eventually finished runners-up in the Main tournament. Beardsley also had time to play one-on-one with a toddler and sign autographs.
