The Premier League have announced the third Barclays Asia Trophy
is to be held in Hong Kong in partnership with the Hong Kong
FA.
The 2007/08 season curtain-raiser tournament, which Barclays are
sponsoring for the first time, features Liverpool, Portsmouth,
Fulham and the winner of the Hong Kong FA Cup competing in the
40,000 capacity Hong Kong Stadium.
The Barclays Asia Trophy sees two double-headers played on July 24
and 27, with all matches screened locally by now TV and in the UK
by Sky Sports.
Barclays Asia Trophy schedule:
Portsmouth v Fulham: Tues 24 July 2007 6pm (11am UK time)
Liverpool v Hong Kong FA Cup Winners: Tues 24 July 2007 8.15pm
(1.15pm UK)
3rd & 4th play-off: Fri 27 July 2007 6pm (11am UK time)
Final: Fri 27 July 2007 8.15pm (1.15pm UK)
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: The
Barclays Premiership has a fantastic following across East Asia,
and nowhere more so than in Hong Kong.
"This is a great opportunity for those fans who follow our
competition week in week out to experience what a Barclays
Premiership game is like in the flesh.
We have three fantastic clubs who will be putting out strong teams
and aiming to win this increasingly prestigious trophy, and I am
sure the winners of the Hong Kong FA Cup will be determined to
compete.
Robert E Diamond Jr, Barclays President, said: Hong Kong is one of
the financial hubs of Asia where we have a growing presence so we
are delighted to be sponsoring this tournament for the first
time.
"The Barclays Asia Trophy will give us powerful brand visibility
and the chance to engage with football fans outside the UK.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: We know that we have a lot
of fans in Hong Kong and are looking forward to playing in front of
them again.
"Im sure they will give us wonderful support and we will do our
best to win the Barclays Asia Trophy for them.
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp added: "We are very much looking
forward to playing in the Barclays Asia Trophy and playing two
competitive matches so close to the start of the new season will
play a big part in our pre-season preparation.
"Hong Kong is a beautiful part of the world and I'm sure the
players will revel in the surroundings."
David McNally, managing director of Fulham, said: The Barclays
Asia Trophy promises to be a fiercely fought competition and will
offer all three Barclays Premiership clubs the opportunity to
prepare correctly for the new seasons campaign.
The fans in Hong Kong will, Im sure, appreciate watching three
teams from the Barclays Premiership compete against the winner of
the Hong Kong FA Cup and we are certain that the atmosphere at the
games will be extremely exciting.
"We are delighted to be able to take part in this prestigious
competition, and look forward to completing our pre-season
preparations on a high.
Martin Hong, chairman of the HKFA, is excited about the tournament
being held in Hong Kong.
He said: We have had Barclays Premiership clubs playing exhibition
matches in Hong Kong for years, and this will be the first time
that a genuine Premier League tournament is organized in
town.
"The local football fans will be treated with a high quality and
competitive tournament live.
"HKFA is renowned for its capability to host prestigious matches
and tournaments, and arrangements in all aspects will be well
executed to ensure the success of the tournament."
Alex Arena, group managing director of PCCW said, PCCW is
delighted to be the sole TV broadcaster of the Premier League in
Hong Kong, including the Barclays Asia Trophy.
"For people who cannot watch the matches on-site, they can choose
to watch them via the multiple platforms - now TV, broadband
Internet, PCCW mobile and fixed-line - that PCCW offers.