Client News
Rae gives All Stars the perfect start
Hong Kong, 29 May 2009 - Former Glasgow Rangers midfielder Alex Rae made an immediate impact on the first day of the HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens on Friday.
Rae was on target just before half-time to give his team, the IP Global All Stars, a 1-0 victory over Kowloon Cricket Club.
It was the perfect start for the All Stars, who are favourites to win the Masters competition at the popular sevens tournament at Hong Kong Football Club.
“The goal came at just the right time and we controlled the match from then on,” said Rae.
“We were pretty comfortable, I don’t think our goalkeeper had a shot to save. It’s a good beginning for us and we’ll look forward to tomorrow.”
Rae won the Masters tournament last year with Glasgow Rangers Legends and was delighted to get on the scoresheet.
“I felt I didn’t get enough goals last year, so I’ll be trying to get a couple more this time around,” he promised.
The All Stars line-up includes former England internationals Des Walker, Rob Lee and Chris Powell, ex-Scotland striker Gordon Durie and former Northern Ireland midfielder Steve Lomas.
They dominated the Pool A clash against KCC, hitting the woodwork twice and going close on several other occasions, but Rae’s smartly taken goal proved enough.
Also in Pool A, former France international Didier Six scored a late winner for Football For Life as they beat HKFC Veterans 2-1.
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.
Pool play continues on Saturday when the Main competition will start. The knockout stages will be played on Sunday.
All children under the age of 16 are allowed in free throughout the tournament. Adult tickets cost HK$200 for two days (Saturday and Sunday sold together) or HK$120 for one day.
Tickets can be bought via www.hksoccersevens.com or through Laxton Marketing Consultants (Tel: 2866 3110), or they can be purchased at the public entrance during the tournament.
-- ENDS --
Released on behalf of the HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.