Young Magpies seal quarter-final spot in Hong Kong

Callum Roberts was in fine form for Newcastle as they began the competition with two draws and a victory, which put them through to the last eight of Sunday’s Main Cup.

The young Magpies kicked off tournament on Saturday, with a Group C game against the hosts, Hong Kong Football Club.

And it didn’t take long for United to make their mark, as some patient build-up play was rewarded when Dan Barlaser’s flick found Roberts, who dispatched low beyond the goalkeeper to open the scoring barely three minutes into the contest.

Just a couple of minutes later, though, Hong Kong levelled matters, when a high cross found an unmarked forward in space in the box. His header was well-placed, leaving keeper Nathan Harker with little chance and earning his side a 1-1 draw in the process.

United’s second group game, against Newcastle Jets, began well, with Victor Fernandez’s break forward eventually culminating in another Roberts goal. The winger tucked away from close range after an unselfish Barlaser assist, giving Ben Dawson’s youngsters the lead against the Australian outfit.

Roberts’ second of the contest was a fine breakaway goal, as he profited from Fernandez’s incisive run. The Spanish winger went one-on-one with the goalkeeper before squaring the ball to give his teammate a tap-in, making it 2-0.

And Roberts was again involved as his team made it three. He took advantage of the ‘no offsides’ rule to position himself well just after the break before teeing up Matty Longstaff, who stroked home to seal the points. The Jets pulled one back to make it 3-1, but couldn’t mount a comeback.

A 0-0 draw in the final group game against table-toppers Rangers ensured the Magpies would remain in with a chance of lifting some silverware on Sunday, with a second-place finish meaning they will go through to the last eight of the competition that they last won in 2012.

Photograph courtesy of HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens