Hong Kong Update

[ian1964 10,459]

CANADIAN kid Fraser Aird produced a stunning solo goal to get Rangers off to a flyer in the sodden Hong Kong Soccer Sevens as they beat Hong Kong FC 1-0.

 

The heavens opened just as Rangers took to the field and the game was stopped after just 1 minute and 16 seconds as lightning cracked the black skies above.

It was more than 30 minutes before the organisers got the game going again by which point the 3G surface was saturated.

It was tight in the first half and the only real opportunity came when Kyle McAusland raced forward and was involved in some neat interplay with skipper Robbie Crawford before shooting just wide.

Tom Walsh played as the most advanced player in the Rangers line-up but he was tightly marked by the Hong Kong defenders.

Rangers looked comfortable in the game, though, and never really looked like conceding.

Then just a minute or so into the second half, Aird brought the game to life. Fellow countryman Luca Gasparotto fed him the ball in the Rangers half and Fraser was off and running.

He glided past each Hong Kong player and when he hit the edge of the penalty area he drove a low right foot shot into the left corner. It was a fantastic piece of play.

Rangers were never in trouble after that and Walsh almost got a chance for a second goal but the Hong Kong keeper was too quick off his line.

RANGERS: Kelly; Gasparotto, McAusland, Crawford, Murdoch (Telfer), Aird (Gallagher), Walsh

 

 

 

RANGERS clinched their place in the quarter-finals of the Hong Kong Sevens with a remarkable winner in the final seconds to defeat HKFA Dragons 2-1.

 

The Murray Park kids were trailing 1-0 when they conceded in the early moments but they equalised when Charlie Telferâ??s shot was deflected.

And then they sensationally won the game to book a slot in the last eight when Luca Gasparotto headed in Tom Walshâ??s cross from close range.

Things were not looking good when Tsang Chi Hau fired the Dragons into the lead with a low shot into the left corner.

However, Rangers showed great composure and dominated possession through the inter-passing of Telfer, Robbie Crawford and Andy Murdoch.

And it was Telferâ??s great run along the goal-line just before half-time which led to Rangers drawing level â?? his shot being deflected into the net.

Before that Jamie Burrows and Kyle McAusland had chances while Gasparotto had a shot deflected wide â?? but there was more from the Canadian to come.

With literally two seconds left Walsh curled a great ball to the back post and Gasparotto stooped to head into the net and seal the victory.

The big fellow had only arrived in Hong Kong yesterday after having to remain at home for an exam but there was clearly no jet lag.

 

 

MICHAEL MOLS rolled back the years as he blasted a hat-trick and set up the other two goals as the Rangers All-stars crushed the KCC Vets 5-0 in game 2 of their Soccer Sevens campaign.

 

The Dutch striker was in simply irresistible form as the Ibrox old boys really clicked into gear after a disappointing goal-less draw in their first match last night.

He rolled a simple pass to Jorg Albertz midway through the first half and The Hammer calmly tucked the ball away with his left foot into the right corner.

Then Mols fired a right foot shot into the left corner for number two just before the break and had Rangers three ahead early in the second half when he followed up after his first shot had been saved to tuck away the rebound.

The man known as the Smiling Assassin during his Rangers days turned provider again when he laid the ball on a plate for Charlie Miller who smashed a left foot shot high into the net.

But Mols was not finished. He scored his third goal of the match from close range to demoralise poor opponents who also missed a penalty when the effort was scuffed past Andy Goramâ??s right post.

It was a comfortable win for the All-stars and Derek Ferguson, Neil Murray and Mark Walters all saw some action after not being used in the opening game.

They know face a shoot-out with the Aegon Ajax All-stars to top their qualifying group.

[ian1964 10,459]

RANGERS were frustratingly contained by South China in their final group game of the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens and the goal-less draw means they finish runners-up in their section.

 

South China knew they only needed a draw to clinch first place and opted to make things as difficult as possible and did not really open up.

It was difficult for the youngsters to carve out openings but Robbie Crawford was nearly gifted a chance when the South China keeper was slack with a pass and the Rangers skipper intercepted.

However, the keeper recovered to make a good blocking save as Crawford tried to divert the ball into the net.

The midfielder created a chance for himself in the second half when he moved onto his left foot and tried to curl one towards the top left corner but the keeper was equal to it.

Then as Rangers chased a winning goal they suddenly left the back door open and Fraser Aird had to make a fantastic sprint back to make a last-ditch block.

So the youngsters were undefeated and finished on seven points the same as South China but the local team won the group on goal difference.

Rangers will now face either Manchester City or Sunderland in the last eight.

[SteveC 150]

Well done the youngsters! 3-1 win over fancied Man City.

 

http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/4041-super-kids-stun-city?

 

 

 

PS Later update. We lost in the semis to a powerful Newcastle side, 3-2

Edited May 26, 2013 by SteveC
later update

[SteveC 150]

And now the legends have marched on to the final - a showdown with Ajax:

 

http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/4042-top-class-gers-make-final?

[SteveC 150]

I will probably be out when the final is played, (sorry), but the official site is pretty quick in getting the reports out so those interested, can keep your eye on it.

 

Here's the kids' semi final story:

 

http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/4043-so-tough-for-kids

 

I saw highlights of the first youngster's game on Rangers TV and will be checking that out later to see if they have anymore from later rounds.

 

It's nice to be talking about/looking at us playing football.

[Ser Barristan Selmy 222]

I'm confused. Is the tournament our youngsters are playing in the same one that mols, Albertz etc are in?

[SteveC 150]

I'm confused. Is the tournament our youngsters are playing in the same one that mols, Albertz etc are in?

 

Two tournaments - both are under the "Hong Kong Soccer Sevens' " banner. One for youngsters, one for oldsters

[SteveC 150]

Legends win! 2-1 in the final.

 

Hammer with a pen, then they equalised with a pen..................

 

Then Rae with the winner. Champions again, five years later (we won it in 2008) . Well done