Features
Toon youngsters targeting three-peat in Hong Kong
Written by Luke Vinton
Newcastle United's youngsters begin their Hong Kong Citi Soccer Sevens campaign on Saturday, with the young Magpies bidding to win the competition for an unprecedented third time in succession.
This year will be the eighth time Newcastle have entered the invitational seven-a-side tournaments, which attracts clubs from all across the globe, and we take a look at the United squads to have tasted success at the Happy Valley in 2018 and 2019.
2018
Newcastle headed to Hong Kong aiming to claim their second Soccer Sevens title after winning the tournament in 2012, their inaugural appearance in the competition, with a side including the likes of Paul Dummett and James Tavernier.
The young Magpies were held to a 1-1 draw in their opening Group C fixture against the hosts Hong Kong Football Club, with Cal Roberts on target for United, before later claiming a 3-1 win against Newcastle Jets, courtesy of Roberts' brace and Matty Longstaff's finish.
Newcastle's youngsters ended the day with a goalless draw against table-toppers Rangers, progressing into the last-eight of the competition where they would face side Kashima Antlers.
After winning 7-6 on penalties against the Japanese side to reach the semi-final stages, Newcastle advanced into the final following a dramatic 4-3 victory against Leicester City, with Roberts' golden goal setting up a showdown with Rangers.
As the contest moved into extra-time following a goaless draw, Roberts - who finished as the tournament's top goalscorer - rounded off a memorable weekend with another golden goal to lift the trophy, whilst Fernández picked up the Player of the Tournament prize.
2019
Entering the 2019 tournament as defending champions, Newcastle began their Group C campaign in winning fashion following 1-0 victories over Yau Lee League Select and Kashima Antlers, with Kell Watts and Elias Sørensen scoring the repsective winning goals before topping the group after a goaless draw against Brighton & Hove Albion.
In the knockout stages, Newcastle progressed to the semi-final stages with a 2-0 triumph over Portuguese outfit Portimonense, courtesy of goals by Tom Allan and Sørensen before Ben Dawson's side set up a final meeting with Rangers, a repeat of the 2018 final, as Sørensen netted a brace in their 2-0 semi-final victory over Hong Kong's Kitchee.
United were required to come from two goals down in the final after Andrew Dallas' first-half brace for the Gers but responded in strong fashion as Bailey's header and Luke Charman's fierce strike levelled the tie.
Sørensen, who was awarded Player of the Tournament, sent Newcastle into the lead from the penalty spot before Rangers' Josh McPake sent the clash into extra-time with a late equaliser.
Skipper Owen Bailey was forced to play in a goalkeeping role as the game went to four-versus-four but the 20-year-old's winner, a calm precise effort into the top right-hand corner, secured United's third title in Asia along with retaining the trophy in the process.
