Hong Kong Soccer Sevens – Newcastle United through to quarter-finals after undefeated in group

It is Hong Kong Soccer Sevens action this weekend.

Newcastle United had three group games on Saturday.

NUFC kicked off at 8.44am (UK time) in their opening group game and that ended Newcastle United 3 Tai Po 0. A dominant performance and result from the young United stars.

Then followed two draws.

Newcastle 1 Leicester 1 in a game that had been scheduled to kick-off at 9.52am (UK time).

Then Newcastle 0 Singapore Cricket Club 0, which had been scheduled for a kick-off at 11.34am (UK time).

A win and two draws enough to take an unbeaten Newcastle United through to the quarter-finals on Sunday.

United will play Hong Kong Rangers FC in the last eight, that match scheduled for 4.32am UK time, which equals 11.32am local time in Hong Kong.

The other six clubs through to the semi-finals are Aston Villa, Brighton, Rangers, Leicester, Fulham and West Ham.

Best of luck to the young Newcastle United stars on Sunday.

Newcastle United official announcement:

‘Newcastle United Under-21s kick off their Hong Kong Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens campaign on Saturday and Alfie Harrison is hoping the young Magpies can end their season with a further piece of silverware.

The young Magpies, who won the Main Cup in 2018 and 2019 before lifting the Main Shield last year, will compete in Group D of the seven-a-side tournament at the Hong Kong Football Club Stadium.

United begin their playing schedule on Saturday, 27th May against Tai Po (kick-off 8.44am BST) before taking on fellow English side Leicester City (kick-off 9.52am BST) and Singapore Cricket Club (kick-off 11.34am BST) and Harrison, who joined the Magpies from Manchester City in February 2024, is determined to bring the trophy back to Tyneside.

The promising 18-year-old, who was nominated for April’s Premier League 2 Player of the Month award, told newcastleunited.com: “It’s something we’re all looking forward to. It’s a new experience for most of us and we are going there to win, that’s the main aim, and prove ourselves over there so people can see what we’re about. It would be nice to win a piece of silverware.

“The heat and humidity are other challenges we will have to face but we can’t let that get in the way and affect our performances.

“With certain teams, you don’t know what to expect so all you can do is go out there and play your game to, hopefully, get good results and go through to the knockout rounds.”

Newcastle’s youngsters have already lifted a trophy this month after winning the Newcastle Flooring (Northumberland) Senior Cup for the first time since 2018 following a 2-1 win against Blyth Town at St. James’ Park.

Harrison, who is eligible to represent Hong Kong after his mother’s birth in the country, reflected positively on his maiden outing at the Magpies’ home ground and is determined replicate similar memories in the future.

The Bradford-born youngster, who scored 11 goals in as many Under-18 Premier League North fixtures this term, added: “I was buzzing to win the Northumberland Senior Cup and it topped off a good season. It was nice to get some silverware and winning the final at St. James’ Park.

“Once you step out onto the pitch, it makes you think even more that this is where you want to play most weeks. It was nice to get an assist in the game too.

“I think winning that trophy adds a lot of motivation for our trip to Hong Kong because you crave that winning feeling and it makes you want to try and do it again.”