Albion beaten finalists in Hong Kong Soccer Sevens

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2025-05-19T12:00+01:00

Albion were beaten finalists in this year’s Hong Kong Soccer Sevens tournament.

Shannon Ruth’s team were looking to retain their title after winning the competition last year, but were narrowly beaten 1-0 in the final by Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.

The competition followed a group stage, quarter-final, semi-final and final format, with Albion finishing second in Group C.

Wins over Singapore FC and Yau Yee League Select - during which goalkeeper Steven Hall scored a wonderful goal - were enough for Albion to reach the knockout stage, although a defeat to Yokohama Marinos saw the Japanese side finish top of the group.

Aston Villa were Albion’s next opponents, and Albiion saw them off with a 2-1 victory. West Ham in the semi-final proved to be a tougher task and it took a best of three penalty shootout to separate the sides, with Albion coming out on top.

Hall saved Dan Rigge's spot-kick before Jamie Mullins and Joe Knight scored their penalties. The Albion keeper took the decisive penalty, firing into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

That set up the final against AZ, who had beaten Yokohama in semis.

A single goal in extra time proved to the be the difference, although it would come from an unlikely source. AZ had a free-kick on the edge of the Albion box, which was worked back to keeper Kiyana Zeggen whose shot from 20 yards found the bottom right corner.

Albion squad: Steven Hall, Zane Albarus, Shane Nti, Nehemiah Oriola, Jamie Mullins, Joe Belmont, Samy Chouchane, Jacob Slater, Joe Knight, Charlie Penman.

Group C, match one - Albion 3-0 Singapore FC - Goalscorers: Oriola, Mullins, Albarus