This weekend, West Ham United U21s are involved in the 2024 Hong Kong Football Club Soccer Sevens.
Our ten-man squad comprises players across the Club's U18s and U21s teams, with Northern Ireland international Michael Forbes named as skipper for the tour of the Far East.
You can watch highlights and read reaction as the U21s finished second in Group A on Saturday 25 May below.
To follow the action from the final day on Sunday 26 May click here.
Kodua stars as U21s progress to finals day
The young Hammers will contest for the main title, after they finished second in Group A.
Their first fixture on Sunday 25 May will be against Fulham – the result of which will decide their matches throughout Day 3 of the HKFC Soccer Sevens.
Across the group stage, Kodua led the charge with four goals in three games as the Hammers shook off a defeat to Aston Villa in their tournament opener to record important victories over Yau Yee League Select and HKFC Captain’s Select.
And Kodua was pleased with his showing in the Far East.
“The format is good,” Kodua enthused, on his experience in Hong Kong. “The games are fast, so it brings a lot out of you, and it is different to what we are used to, so it has been fun to adapt to it.
“Hong Kong is a different experience and one I am happy to have done travelled here.
“I think I would have been happier if we had won against Villa, but we managed to pick ourselves up and get ourselves into a good position for tomorrow.
“We want the same thing tomorrow – get a few wins, some goals, and hopefully a trophy!”
Lead coach Mark Phillips was similarly pleased with the Hammers showing across Group A and added: “We’ve had some good performances and grown into the tournament after a narrow defeat to Aston Villa.
“The boys are new to this format, so it was important to see how they adapted after the first game, and I think they did really well.
“Gideon has been clinical for us, and I’m really pleased for him to get a hat trick in the last group game.
“It’s been a great environment to play in and we have to thank the Hammers in attendance because we’ve had some fantastic support from the stands as well.”
Match 43, West Ham United 4-0 HKFC Captain’s Select (Group A, Game 3)
A hat-trick from Gideon Kodua saw West Ham to a comfortable win over HKFC Captain’s Select.
Trialist Brad Dolaghan headed home the opener from close range, before Kodua drove his first into the bottom corner to make it 2-0 by the break.
Kodua completed his hat-trick with his second from the penalty spot and a tap-in late on.
Starting VII: Terry, Mayers, Moore, Tarima, Akpata, Kodua ©, Dolaghan
Subs: Jones, Forbes, Kelly
Goals: Dolaghan, Kodua 3
Match 38, West Ham United 2-1 Yau Yee League Select (Group A, Game 2)
A good response to defeat in our tournament opener as first-half goals from Patrick Kelly and Gideon Kodua brought victory over Yau Yee League Select.
Kelly finished a delightful cross from Liam Jones with 90 seconds played, before Kodua, set up by some good play from trialist Brad Dolaghan, doubled the lead on the cusp of the break.
After Ezra Mayers and Dolaghan went close to a West Ham third, Yau Yee League Select added a consolation late on.
Starting VII: Terry, Forbes ©, Kelly, Moore, Jones, Kodua, Dolaghan
Subs: Akpata, Tarima, Mayers
Goals: Kelly, Kodua
Match 33, West Ham United 0-2 Aston Villa (Group A, Game 1)
West Ham started their tournament opener brightly but ultimately fell to defeat by defending champions Aston Villa.
Patrick Kelly and Sean Tarima went close in the first half, while Liam Jones was then denied by the Aston Villa goalkeeper from closer range after a great driving run from Kelly.
Second-half goals, though, took Aston Villa to victory, despite Kodua almost forcing a West Ham equaliser, when the game was at 1-0 late on.
Starting VII: Terry, Tarima, Forbes ©, Mayers, Akpata, Kelly, Kodua
Subs: Moore, Jones, Dolaghan
