Chelsea, Sunderland face ‘tough start’ against Hong Kong champions Kitchee

Saturday, 24 May 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens kicks off today

Chelsea and Sunderland are both wary of facing Hong Kong champions Kitchee at the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens on Saturday afternoon, with the 2011 winners posing a big threat to the two English sides progressing to the Cup quarter-finals. HKFC Captain’s Select, the second team from hosts Hong Kong Football Club, round out a tough Group B in the 16-team Main Tournament, which kicks off with Groups C and D on Saturday morning. Chelsea U-21 coach Dermot Drummy said Hong Kong’s weather and facing Sunderland and Kitchee in the group stage could threaten their bid to win the Cup after previous attempts in 2000, when they reached the final, and two years ago, when his side lost to the Black Cats in the quarter-finals. Chelsea will be captained by tall centre-back Alex Davey, one of several players from the club’s U21 Premier League-winning squad. Striker Islam Feruz, midfielders Billy Clifford and Charlie Colkett, defenders Alex Davey, Adam Nditi and Fankaty Dabo, and towering goalkeeper Jamal Blackman were also involved in Chelsea’s U21 success, which was capped by a 2-1 playoff final win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Kevin Ball is leading Sunderland at the Soccer Sevens for a third straight year, as the side look to build on reaching the semi-finals on their previous appearances in 2010, 2012 and 2013. Ball’s squad includes midfielders Liam Agnew and Martin Smith, who were both called up to Sunderland’s first-team squad at the end of the season, while goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has represented England from U-16 through U-19 level and has also been involved with Gus Poyet’s first team. Ball included Chelsea, Manchester City and Aston Villa among the pre-tournament favourites. Group B kicks off in the afternoon along with Group A, which features 2012 champions Newcastle United, Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande, HKFA U-23 and Hong Kong Football Club. Groups C and D start on Saturday morning. Group C features Manchester City, Rangers, Hong Kong First Division side BC Rangers and Singapore Cricket Club. Group D comprises defending champions Leicester City, five-time winners Aston Villa, HKFA U-21 and Yau Yee League Select. The tournament kicks off with the opening round of Masters group games on Friday evening (7 – 9 p.m.). All the Main group matches and the remaining Masters group games are held on Saturday (9 a.m. – 8:15 p.m.), while the knockout rounds take place on Sunday (8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.). Tickets for the weekend are HK$ 160 per day or HK$ 300 for a two-day pass, and are available at www.cityline.com. Citibank has title sponsored the event since 2011 and other sponsors this year include British Airways, Nike, Aegon, The Excelsior, Tsingtao and Boase Cohen & Collins. Main Tournament Group A: Newcastle United (ENG), Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN), HKFA U-23 (HKG), Hong Kong Football Club (HKG) Group B: Chelsea (ENG), Sunderland (ENG), Kitchee (HKG), HKFC Captain’s Select (HKG) Group C: Manchester City (ENG), Rangers (SCO), BC Rangers (HKG), Singapore Cricket Club (SIN) Group D: Leicester City (ENG), Aston Villa (ENG), HKFA U-21 (HKG), Yau Yee League Select (HKG) Masters Tournament Group A: Rangers Legends (SCO), Wallsend Boys Club (ENG), USRC (HKG), Kowloon Cricket Club (HKG) Group B: Aegon Ajax All Stars (NED), Eastern Salon Original (HKG), HKFC Chairman’s Select (HKG), HKFC Veterans (HKG) Group C: Citibank All Stars (ENG), Nottingham Forest Mobsters (ENG), KFC Tokyo (JPN), SCC Tigers (SIN)