Strong start for Citi All Stars as defending champions Wallsend held twice
Citi All Stars made a strong start to their quest to reclaim the HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens Masters Tournament title on Friday as the former champions collected four points to sit in the three-way tie at the top of Group B as the event kicked off for the first time since 2019.
A 0-0 draw with Kowloon Cricket Club Veterans in their opening game at the Hong Kong Football Club was followed by a 1-0 win over Yau Yee League Masters to leave Citi All Stars level with Rio Cricket Association Masters and HKFC Masters at the top of the standings.
The HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens is returning after a four-year absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with the Masters Tournament launching the 2023 event on Friday before the Main Event begins on Saturday.
"I've played in this tournament a few times and the first game is always the toughest," said Citi All Stars captain Sean Davis. "Getting your body used to the heat and the conditions is hard, so to come out of it with a 0-0 draw and then to win the second game is great.
"We're looking forward to tomorrow. It's a great tournament to be involved in and we want to win it.
"I think we've got our two toughest games out of the way and, if it's hot tomorrow it's going to be the same for everyone. I finished as a runner-up last time out so I want to go on and win it this time."
Citi All Stars are attempting to claim the title for the first time since 2017 having lost in the 2019 final against Wallsend Boys Club.
Wallsend, who won the trophy for the first time in 2019 having previously lost twice in the final, started the defence of the title with a 0-0 draw against 2018 winners Ampcontrol Discovery Bay in Group A.
The English club finished off the evening's play drawing 1-1 with Singapore Football Club Masters and sit in fourth place in Group A.
Ampcontrol Discovery Bay and Singapore Football Club Masters are locked together on top of the Group A standings, with both sides collecting four points from their opening two matches.
KFC Chairman's Select occupy third place on three points.
Action will resume at 9am on Saturday with the resumption of the Masters Tournament while play in the Main Event, featuring Premier League clubs Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Fulham, Brighton & Hove Albion and Leicester City, will begin and continue until Sunday.