Client News
Celtic braced for title defence
Hong Kong, 8 April 2010 - Celtic’s status as defending champions will make them even more determined to put on a good performance at next month’s HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens, according to club legend Danny McGrain.
The Scottish giants are looking forward to returning to Hong Kong Football Club, scene of their triumph a year ago when they beat arch-rivals Rangers 1-0 in the final.
“We’re delighted to be returning to Hong Kong in May and, as last year’s winners, it’s very important for us to return to try and retain the trophy we won,” said coach McGrain.
“The tournament is very well organised and has good facilities. It’s an important tournament for us and has in the past resulted in good football.
“The short games obviously suit the humid atmosphere and ball control is very important as you don’t want to be chasing the game in the kind of heat we will be playing in.”
McGrain, one of the all-time great fullbacks who played 663 games for Celtic and earned 62 Scotland caps, said the trip to the Soccer Sevens would also bring other benefits to the squad.
“Hong Kong is a fascinating place to visit and it will be good for the young players to see other cultures. It’s always a fantastic life experience for them,” he said.
The 2010 HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens will be held from 14-16 May with a total of 32 teams taking part, 16 in the Main competition and 16 in the Masters.
Since it was first held in 1999, the tournament – sanctioned by the Hong Kong Football Association – has developed into the world’s premier seven-a-side soccer event.
The Main competition has become famous for unearthing the “stars of tomorrow” while the Masters section features former elite players from Europe’s top leagues.
Celtic have been regular visitors to the tournament, twice finishing runners-up in the Main competition – to Blackburn Rovers in 1999 and Aston Villa in 2008 – before winning it for the first time last year.
They have unearthed plenty of stars in the years they have been competing in the Soccer Sevens, including Stephen McManus, Craig Beattie, Shaun Maloney and Liam Miller.
One of the stars of last year’s victory, winger Niall McGinn, has made 15 appearances for the first team in the Scottish Premier League this season, scoring two goals.
Striker Paul McGowan, who scored the winner in last year’s final, has also featured for the first team this season with the highlight being a dramatic injury-time goal that rescued a 3-3 draw for Celtic away to Rapid Vienna in the Europa League.
The draw for the 2010 Soccer Sevens will be held on Tuesday, 13 April, at Hong Kong Football Club, starting at 12:30pm.
Manchester United legend Andy Cole, who has entered his own all-star team in the tournament, will be guest of honour at the draw.
Tickets for the 2010 HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens will go on sale from Thursday, 15 April.
A weekend pass (Saturday and Sunday) will cost HK$200 per adult while a day pass (Saturday or Sunday) will be HK$120 per adult. Admission on the Friday evening is free for all spectators while children under the age of 16 are admitted free throughout the tournament.
Ticketing details and a wealth of other information about the tournament can be found at the official website, www.hksoccersevens.com.
About IP Global
IP Global (formerly Intellectual Property) sources property investments in emerging and recovering markets. The company has a unique approach; assisting clients in constructing a property investment portfolio tailored to their specific investment strategy and budget. IP Global focuses not only on where to invest but also removes the difficulties that independent investors face when buying property.
IP Global educates investors with the market knowledge required for potential and future investments. The extensive due diligence service provided gives clients the assurance to invest in remote markets which otherwise would not be accessible.
IP Global was launched in Hong Kong in September 2005 and now has offices in Singapore and Dubai to support a rapidly expanding client base and global ambitions. Since inception, IP Global has transacted a total of over US$700 million in property on behalf of its clients.
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Released on behalf of the HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.