Meet The Hong Kong Squad

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

 

This weekend, Newcastle United Under-21s are competing in the Hong Kong Football Club Citi Soccer Sevens for the fifth time.

The Magpies won the tournament on their debut in 2012, reached the final in 2013 and have been semi-finalists for the last two years.

United will compete in Group A on Saturday, facing hosts Hong Kong Football Club (4.14pm kick-off local time, 9.14am BST), Kitchee (5.39pm kick-off local time, 10.39am BST) and Aston Villa (7.21pm kick-off local time, 12.21pm BST).

And ahead of the tournament, captain Dan Barlaser has given nufc.co.uk the lowdown on each of his teammates...

 

1. Ben Smith (goalkeeper)

A really good shot-stopper who has been unlucky with injuries. However, we know what a great keeper Ben is and hopefully he can prove himself in this tournament.

Off the pitch he loves a tall story, loves exaggerating and that's why we call him 'the liar'.

 

2. Michael Newberry (defender)

Ginger maestro number one.

Our strawberry blonde centre-back is the Rocky of the team because every time something goes against him on the pitch he gets angry and aggressive.

I don't mind that though, because it shows he cares and you want your defenders to be like that.

 

3. Liam Gibson (defender)

Ginger maestro number two.

The most ginger man in the team, and maybe the world.

Liam's got a great left foot, is really quick and could be a big player for us here. It's his first time at the tournament but I'm sure he will prove himself.

 

4. Jack Hunter (midfielder)

Our overseas signing - Jack is actually from Heaton but looks like he's a foreign player, with his dark hair and massive beard.

He plays in central midfield and loves a tackle. He won't bottle anything.

Jack came out last year, although didn't play too much, but it means he knows what the tournament is all about, what he's got to do and he will be out to impress.

 

5. Callum Williams (defender)

The dopey one of the group. There isn't much going on upstairs and he's lucky he's good at football.

This is his third time at the Soccer Sevens but in each of the last two he's managed to somehow sleep in and miss training. Thanfully he didn't make it a hat-trick this year.

Cal's a great player though - really good on the ball and a top defender.

 

6. Dan Ward (midfielder)

Mr Intelligent. The brightest of the group, although that's not saying too much with our lot.

He's done really well over the last couple of years, to go from not really featuring for the under-18s to being a regular part of the under-21s squad, and he deserves it.

Hopefully he can show what a good midfielder he is here.

 

7. Jamie Holmes (forward)

Jamie's been really unlucky with injuries and hasn't played too much this year but showed what a good player he is in the FA Youth Cup last season.

It's his first time here but he has loads of talent and an eye for goal, so could definitely impress a few people.

He's like Callum Williams though - not a clever lad at all.

 

8. Sean Longstaff (midfielder)

We call him 'Lobby', although I'm not sure why. It's just always been his nickname.

Sean's a really good midfielder who can play in a number of positions. He's got skill, passing ability and loves to shoot, so the seven-a-side format will suit him perfectly.

His finishing in training has been excellent, so hopefully when he gets to the edge of the box he will be pulling the trigger.

 

9. Luke Charman (forward)

Earlier in the season Luke wasn't really in contention but he has come from nowhere in the last six months and has made a great impression.

In that time he's been playing well for the under-18s and under-21s, scoring goals, and will be a big asset to us over here.

Luke's a target man, a big striker and defenders won't enjoy playing against him. His hold up play is good, too, so he should be able to bring us all into play.

Off the pitch he's a happy lad and a good character who isn't afraid to say something if it's needed.

 

And finally... 10. Dan Barlaser (midfielder)

It's my third year here so, along with Cal Williams, I'm the most experienced player in the group.

I'll try and get from box to box and hopefully can chip in with a few goals along the way, too. Hopefully I can take us all the way this year. It would be amazing to lift that trophy on Sunday afternoon.

What would the lads say about me? Talkative and a joker, probably. They would be right about me being the most talkative of the group but I'm just a really happy lad who loves life.