Super Samuel Saiz impresses at Soccer Sevens with a five-goal salvo
Samuel Saiz fired five goals in three matches as Atletico Madrid lit up the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens on their tournament debut by topping group D with two wins and a draw on Saturday.
Atletico, last year's Spanish champions, beat both HKFA U-20 and Yau Yee League Select 2-1 after coming from behind in each game, before twice taking the lead against Stoke City in a pulsating 2-2 draw.
The seven-a-side format is different for all of us, but we're enjoying it. However, if you make one mistake, you can pay for it with a goal and seven minutes is not much time
Saiz, popularly known as Samuel, was a dynamic presence at the head of the Atletico attack and was a star off the pitch, signing autographs and posing for photos with dozens of fans after each match.
"We're going to do our best to become champions. We're very proud to be here for the first time, we've got a lot of good players and we're all trying to do as well as we can for Atletico," said the 24-year-old striker, who has been playing for Atletico B for five seasons.
"The seven-a-side format is different for all of us, but we're enjoying it. However, if you make one mistake, you can pay for it with a goal and seven minutes is not much time. But we've done okay so far."
Yau Yee League Select, representing Hong Kong's top amateur league, upset the seedings to finish second in the pool and join Atletico in the Cup quarter-finals. Debutants Stoke City finished third in group D to drop into the Plate competition.