Two-Time Winners – The Foxes’ Record At Hong Kong Soccer Sevens
Returning to Happy Valley to represent the Club for the seven-a-side competition held at Hong Kong Football Club between 27-28 May, Leicester have been regular participants since debuting at the event in 2012.
The tournament, which began in 1999, is back this year with the Foxes looking to regain the youth trophy they have lifted in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay district on two occasions.
Members of the Club’s Development Squad have enjoyed magnificent success in Hong Kong, notably winning the Main Cup crown in both 2013 and 2017.
Firstly claiming the Shield following a 3-2 extra-time victory over Chelsea during their inaugural tournament in 2012, the Foxes returned a year later to lift the Cup courtesy of a 2-0 win against holders Newcastle United, with City’s Harry Panayiotou named as Player of the Tournament.
Successive Plate finals followed, with victory over BC Rangers in 2014 and a 1-0 defeat on penalties to Hong Kong Football Club the year after, following a goalless draw in normal time.
In 2016, meanwhile, Leicester advanced to the quarter-finals before going down 2-1 to New Zealand’s Wellington Phoenix, only to reach a fifth straight final after defeating Kashima Antlers 6-5 in the Shield Semi-Final.
A 3-2 final victory over Hong Kong Eastern ensured Leicester lifted four trophies in five HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens tournaments and an impressive showing in 2017 extended that record further, claiming the Main Cup title for a second time by defeating Aston Villa 3-0 in the final.
For the second year running, Foxes forward Josh Eppiah ended as top goalscorer, finding the net eight times in both 2016 and 2017, and was also named as Player of the Tournament in the latter year.
The previous two editions were both won by Newcastle, though Leicester did reach a final at the end of their last appearance in 2019, beaten 2-1 by Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Shield Final.
This time around, City will come up against the Magpies in a four-team Group C, as well as local sides HKFC Captain’s Select and Hong Kong Football Club. For a full fixture list and 2023 tournament details, please click HERE. LCFC.com will house updates on Leicester City’s progress in the tournament, as well as behind the scenes content from Hong Kong.