Hunter Eyes Sevens Success

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

Jack Hunter believes Newcastle United Under-21s have enough quality in their new-look squad to lift the Hong Kong Football Club Citi Soccer Sevens title for a second time.

The Magpies won the tournament on their debut in 2012, and over the last three years have been runners-up once and semi-finalists twice.

Hunter was part of the United side which exited at the final four stage 12 months ago, following a controversial tie with West Ham.

And while the squad may be much changed this time around, the midfielder is confident he and his teammates can make a real impact in the Far East.

"Last year I got a bit of a taste for it but hopefully this year I will get a bit more game time," explained the 18-year-old.

"I didn't have a clue what this tournament was all about last year.

"I was one of the younger ones of our squad but being here gave me a great experience and hopefully I can help out the new lads this year.

"We've got quite a young team but a strong team and we all want to do well.

"I would love us to go one step further and win it. If we didn't have the sending-off in the semi-final last year I thought we would have gone on to win it, so we all want to put that right and it would be great to be lifting the trophy at the end of the weekend."

The seven-a-side competition sees Newcastle play their three Group A games on Saturday, taking on Hong Kong Football Club (4.14pm local time), Kitchee (5.39pm local time) and Aston Villa (7.21pm local time).

And while the format is very different to what Hunter and Co are used to during the regular season back on Tyneside, the former Heaton Manor School pupil is relishing it.

"It's a lot harder," he continued.

"There's loads more space, so lots more running and plenty of one-versus-ones.

"You have to get on the ball and go past people and I really enjoy this type of football. Seven-a-side is just like being back in the playground and being a kid again - it's a lot of fun."