Hong Kong Soccer Sevens: Newcastle are talk of the Toon as they storm to title in sudden death
English Premier League club’s academy side beat Rangers 1-0 in final at Hong Kong Football Club on a scorching Sunday
Things have been looking a little less foggy for Newcastle United in the English Premier League as the Rafa Benitez revolution goes from strength to strength. And now the Tyneside club’s next generation of young stars is providing another ray of sunshine.
On a second straight afternoon of scorching temperatures in Happy Valley, Newcastle’s academy side lifted the HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens title for the second time in their history with a 1-0 win against Scottish outfit Glasgow Rangers at Hong Kong Football Club.
Sunday’s main tournament final was scoreless after two 10-minute halves, but Callum Roberts struck midway through a four-minute sudden-death period where both teams where limited to four men.
Roberts’ goal saw Newcastle claim their first Soccer Sevens title here since 2012.
“All the lads are buzzing,” said Newcastle captain Owen Bailey. “I couldn’t be prouder of them.
“I know we didn’t get as many wins as we would have liked and to win in the four-on-fours was really tough, but I’m really proud of the boys.