Hong Kong Soccer Sevens Kicks Off

Back-to-back wins see TSL FC make perfect start to Women's title defence at 2025 HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens

Hong Kong's TSL FC made the perfect start to the defence of their HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens title with back-to-back wins in their opening matches in the 2025 Women's Tournament at Sports Road on Friday. TSL, who won last year's inaugural women's competition when known as Chelsea FC Soccer School HK, kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 win over Hong Kong Football Club before notching up a 4-1 thrashing of Thailand's Chonburi FC. "It felt very good," said captain Yasmin Sung of her team's ideal opening to the event.

"Obviously we don't know these teams and how they play, but in the second game we definitely understood our flow and really went for it. Very proud of the team." Goals from Anke Leung and Wu Choi Yiu gave TSL victory over Hong Kong Football Clubwith Leung and Wu also on the scoresheet against Chonburi alongside Sung and Chan Yee Hing.

"We saw Chonburi play in the first game and we could see that they're very skilful," said Sung, who netted her side's fourth against the Thai side with a perfectly judged lob. "I think, at the end of the day, we were focused on what we needed to do and what the coach wanted us to do. "This start puts us in a very good position. The more you play the more the confidence keeps building, so I think we'll go into tomorrow very confident."

TSL are level on six points with tournament newcomers Wrexham AFC Women, who won their opening games against Singapore's Eastern Thunder and Chonburi, while Kitchee SC top the standings with seven points having played one game more.

Last year's runners-up picked up wins over Hong Kong Football Club and Chonburi as well as a draw with Eastern Thunder to set up an intriguing second day's play in the competition on Saturday.

In the Masters Tournament, Kowloon Cricket Club Masters handed last year's runners-up Singapore Football Club Masters a 1-0 defeat to take the lead in the early standings in Group A, and they are joined at the top by HKFC Chairman's Select, who won 1-0 against Singapore Cricket Club Masters.

Former champions Ampcontrol Discovery Bay made a winning start in Group B, defeating two-time winners Wallsend Boys Club HK 2-0, while HKFC Masters picked up a 2-0 victory over Yau Yee League All Stars. Saturday will see the start of the Main Event as champions Brighton and Hove Albion open their defence of the title against Yau Yee League Select in Group C while Aston Villa face Macau FA as they kick off their quest for a record eighth title in Group A.

Leicester City, another former champion, take on Hong Kong Football Club in Group B and West Ham United, the fourth English representatives appearing in this year's event, launch their challenge against Singapore Cricket Club in Group D. Tickets are available on zicket.co.

Free entry for children under 5 years old all weekend. Single day tickets cost $180 for adults, $50 for juniors (5-18 years old) per day, and weekend passes are $300.