Early on Saturday morning, UK time, West Ham United U21s progressed to the knockout stages of the 26th edition of the Hong Kong Football Club Soccer Sevens tournament.
A ten-man squad, made up of players from both the Club’s U18s and U21s sides and captained by goalkeeper Mason Terry, secured a place in Sunday’s quarter-finals by finishing in the top two in Group D, following a 4-1 win over BC Rangers and draws against Singapore CC and Larne FC.
Awaiting the young Hammers in the last eight are tournament hosts Hong Kong FC, who topped a competitive Group B with victories in each of their three group games over AZ Alkmaar, Leicester City and Hong Kong U22.
Match 18, West Ham United 0-0 Singapore CC (Group D, Game 1)
West Ham were left frustrated in their tournament opener despite dominating from start to finish. Sean Moore went close inside the opening minute after a flowing move and struck the post soon after.
Josh Landers was denied by the woodwork again in the second half, meeting Dan Rigge’s first-time cross with a point-blank header. Rigge also picked out Luis Brown at the far post late on, but the Singapore goalkeeper stood firm to keep the scores goalless.
Starting VII: Terry ©, Brown, Briggs (Landers), Akpata, Moore, Battrum (Medine), Rigge
Sub not used: Dolaghan
Match 24, West Ham United 4-1 BC Rangers (Group D, Game 2)
The young Hammers responded in style after their opening draw with a comfortable win over BC Rangers.
Sean Moore opened the scoring with a fine finish after early pressure, but the Hong Kong side hit back immediately through their captain. West Ham retook the lead within seconds, Moore slipping in Brad Dolaghan to fire home from a tight angle.
Josh Landers added a third shortly after the break, and Dan Rigge rounded off the win from the penalty spot with the final kick of the game.
Starting VII: Terry ©, Medine, Briggs, Battrum, Moore (Akpata), Landers, Dolaghan (Rigge)
Sub not used: Brown
Goals: Moore, Dolaghan, Landers, Rigge (pen)
Match 31, West Ham United 1-1 Larne FC (Group D, Game 3)
With BC Rangers and Singapore CC playing out a 1-1 draw earlier in the day, both West Ham United and Larne had already secured their place in the quarter-finals, turning their clash into a straight shootout for top spot in Group D.
In a tightly contested affair, the points were shared. Dan Rigge netted from the penalty spot to cancel out a goal from Larne’s Joshua Kee. Larne's two victories earlier in the day meant the Hammers progressed as runners-up and will now face hosts Hong Kong FC in the quarter-finals on Sunday morning.
Starting VII: Terry ©, Brown, Medine, Moore, Akpata (Battrum), Dolaghan (Landers), Rigge
Sub not used: Briggs
Photos courtesy of Steve Wong.