bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

James Porteous

Liverpool, Leicester City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace have been confirmed for the Asia Trophy in Hong Kong in July – and in a boost for local fans, all four games will be in Hong Kong rather than shared with mainland China.
The Post exclusively revealed in January that the Reds would be coming to the city, but initial plans were that the tournament would be split between Hong Kong and Shanghai, with the Premier League keen to promote its brand on the mainland.
However on Thursday it was confirmed both sets of games will now take place at Hong Kong Stadium, on Wednesday, July 19, and Saturday, July 22.

“We’re really looking forward to playing in the Premier League Asia Trophy this summer,” Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp said.
“It’s important that the club takes part in competitions like this as it gives local fans the opportunity to get closer to the action.
“The club has a huge fanbase in Hong Kong and we hope to put on a good performance for our fans.”

With the planned schedule clashing with Chinese Super League fixtures, plans for Shanghai to host half the event were abandoned. Guangzhou and Shenzhen were still being discussed as possibilities as recently as last week, but it appears the ease of working in, and the EPL’s familiarity with, Hong Kong won out.
Hong Kong has hosted the popular pre-season tournament three times before and the Premier League is a fan of the city – although the last time the tournament was held here, in 2013, it descended into farce after downpours turned the much-maligned pitch into a quagmire, drawing negative headlines around the world.
Then Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio blasted it as a “killer pitch”, while Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City were said to be eager to abandon the tournament.
“We are very excited to be returning to Hong Kong this summer for the Premier League Asia Trophy,” said Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore in the statement.
“We know from previous visits that fans in Hong Kong, and across the region, are passionate supporters of our clubs.

“In Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Liverpool FC and West Bromwich Albion we have a group of excellent clubs, players and managers who will give local fans a fantastic Premier League experience.”
Ticketing information will be announced in early June, the press release said. Liverpool played in the tournament in Hong Kong in 2007, losing to Portsmouth on penalties in the final.
“The Hong Kong Football Association is delighted and honoured to host four Premier League clubs in July for the Premier League Asia Trophy 2017,” said HKFA chief Mark Sutcliffe.
“The passion and enthusiasm for the Premier League in Hong Kong has never been higher and the opportunity to see world class players in the flesh will be met with great anticipation.
“As co-organisers of the event, the Hong Kong Football Association will do everything it can to ensure that it is the best Asia Trophy ever. With two match days and a wide range of community engagement activities, there is a lot to look forward to and personally, I can’t wait.”


Premier League to branch out with new Singapore streaming service, could Hong Kong follow?

Hong Kong-born Daniel Bennie chasing Premier League dream with Championship club QPR

Man City, Juventus ‘exploring summer options’ over Hong Kong Football Festival

Man Utd’s co-owner Jim Ratcliffe apologises for ‘language’ on immigration after backlash

English Premier League

Liverpool, Leicester, West Brom and Palace confirmed for Asia Trophy – and all four matches will be in Hong Kong

Liverpool fans cheer their team the last time the Reds came to Hong Kong in 2007. Photo: SCMP

The Hong Kong Stadium pitch was lambasted last time it hosted the Asia Trophy.

epa05986220 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp gestures to supporters following the exhibition match between Sydney FC and Liverpool FC at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Australia, 24 May 2017. EPA/PAUL MILLER AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Liverpool fans in final of Barclays Asia Trophy game at the Hong Kong Stadium. 27 JULY 2007

Local favourites Liverpool set to come to Hong Kong for Premier League Asia Trophy

Liverpool last came to Hong Kong in 2007. Photo: SCMP

Alex Glasgow, the technical director of agronomy at the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute who has been hired by the Hong Kong Government, inspects the deteriorated turf of the Hong Kong Studium hours before the match between Kitchee and Manchester United. 29JUL13

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp prior to their English FA Cup, third round replay match against Plymouth Argyle at Home Park, Plymouth, England, Wednesday Jan. 18, 2017. (Andrew Matthews/PA via AP)

Will Hong Kong host Liverpool and Leicester in the Premier League’s Asia Trophy on its own this summer?

Manchester City greet fans and media on their arrival at Chek Lap Kok airport in Hong Kong for the Barclays Asia Trophy in July 2013. Photo: Jonathan Wong

CORRECTION-BYLINE Steven Caulker of Tottenham Hotspur (L) challenges Stephane Sessegnon of Sunderland (2nd R) during their football match in the Barclays Asia Trophy tournament at Hong Kong Stadium on July 24, 2013. AFP PHOTO / Dale de la REY

Sport

Football

News

Hong Kong

Premier League had been keen to host half the popular tournament in mainland China but familiarity with Hong Kong wins out


Liverpool, Leicester, West Brom and Palace confirmed for Asia Trophy – and all four matches will be in Hong Kong

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Premier League had been keen to host half the popular tournament in mainland China but familiarity with Hong Kong wins out

Premier League had been keen to host half the popular tournament in mainland China but familiarity with Hong Kong wins out