Soccer 7s 2025: A Rollercoaster Ride

What a tournament it has been! WBC HK showcased remarkable resilience and skill, navigating a challenging group stage and ultimately reaching this year’s final—an impressive improvement over last year’s semi-final exit.

Group Stage Grit:

WBC HK 0 vs 2 Discovery Bay 

WBC HK 1 vs 1 Yau Yee League 

WBC HK 1 vs 0 HKFC Masters

Let’s delve into the group stages, where WBC HK faced three formidable opponents in what many dubbed the "Group of Death." The first match against Discovery Bay, the tournament favourites, proved to be a tough baptism. Despite some promising moments, we fell 2-0 to a well-organized local team that exploited our inexperience. The match was tightly contested, but as time wore on, Discovery Bay, with 2 goals to the good, retained possession and ran the clock down.

With HKFC Masters having won their opening game, we knew the path to the semi-finals would be daunting. A second loss would spell disaster, especially with strong teams like Yau Yee League and HKFC looming in our path.

Our performance against Yau Yee League showed improvement, yet we were left frustrated. After dominating possession and taking a 1-0 lead, we conceded a last-minute equalizer that felt like a loss. With just one point on the board and one game left, it looked bleak. However, fortune favoured us as results in other matches went our way, giving us a glimmer of hope.

The group stage climaxed dramatically against HKFC Masters, where a crucial 1-0 win in the dying seconds secured our place in the semi-finals. Emerging from the group in second place with 4 points was no small feat. Throwing together a team of eleven strangers just an hour before the first game was a true test of character, but our blend of individual skill, teamwork, and determination shone through. We had done it the hard way, the squad was united, focused and firmly believed we could beat our semi-final opponents, Kowloon CC Masters.

Semi-Final Brilliance:

WBC HK 4 vs 0 Kowloon CC

After advancing as runners-up with 4 points, WBC HK delivered their best performance of the tournament in the semi-final, demolishing Kowloon CC 4-0. From the outset, it was clear that the opposition was outmatched. Jack Sealy set the tone with a quick goal, followed by an assist and then winning a penalty in the first 5 minutes, giving the team the confidence and freedom to play with fluidity and aggression. Every player stepped up, culminating in a perfect performance that propelled us into the final.

Final Heartbreak:

WBC HK 0 vs 3 Discovery Bay

However, the final against Discovery Bay brought a familiar challenge. Facing the same team that had beaten us 2-0 two days earlier in the group stages, the pressure was intense. Despite our best efforts, we fell short, losing 3-0. The opposition took an early lead again, and as fatigue set in, they exploited our weaknesses, with quicker players and pace in several positions thus dictating the tempo crucial to winning a 7s tournament.

It's always tough losing a final especially after such a promising semi-final, but the experience will undoubtedly strengthen our resolve for next year. This bittersweet weekend offered valuable lessons, some new friends and another 7s Final appearance to be proud of for Wallsend Boys Club HK. Our Yellow and Green colours, alongside our charity initiatives, were once again in the spotlight. We will return stronger next year—onwards and upwards!

Tony Sealy

WBC HK Chairman