Aston Villa legend Gordon Cowans is tipping teenage sensation Nathan Delfouneso to be a big hit at this week’s HKFC Philips Lighting International Soccer Sevens.
The 17-year-old striker will be Villa’s main goal threat as they attempt to retain the trophy they won last year.
“We’re delighted that Nathan has been given a first team squad number this season,†said Cowans, Villa’s youth team coach.
“Whilst he’s yet to make the bench, it’s important for him to have been around the first team and it also shows another of our players is making the step up.â€
Delfouneso, an England youth international, is looking to follow in the footsteps of Villa star Gabriel Agbonlahor, who lit up the Soccer Sevens in 2006 and has since become one of the hottest young strikers in Europe.
Villa will have several other outstanding prospects in their squad at this week’s Soccer Sevens, to be staged at Hong Kong Football Club from Friday to Sunday (May 23 to 25).
“Barry Bannan and Marc Albrighton are another two to watch alongside Zoltan Stieber, who was rightly voted the Player of the Tournament last year after a magnificent display,†revealed Cowans.
Delfouneso, Bannan and Albrighton were all members of the Villa U18s team that beat Manchester City 2-0 in the FA Premier Academy League playoff final earlier this month – thereby earning the tag of best Academy side in the country.
Following that success, the Villa youngsters travelled to Ergenzingen, Germany, and won the prestigious Angels Cup against opposition from the host country, Croatia, Brazil and Switzerland.
Hungarian teenager Stieber, meanwhile, has returned to Villa after a long loan spell at Yeovil Town that gave him valuable first team experience.
Cowans believes the Soccer Sevens is an important stepping stone for young players aiming to make their way in the game.
“The main benefit is the experience the players get from being involved,†he said.
“The facilities at this prestigious tournament are outstanding and the whole event offers our players many new experiences; being in Hong Kong, playing in the heat and playing as a team of seven instead of 11.
“It’s all new and exciting for them,†added Cowans, a Villa hero who made 515 appearances for the club between 1975 and 1994, winning the league title and European Cup along the way.
Villa will be aiming to win the HKFC Philips Lighting International Soccer Sevens for the fourth time since the tournament was first held in 1999 but will face some tough opposition in the Main competition.
Their English Premier League rivals West Ham United – another club with a great reputation for producing outstanding young talent – are returning to the Soccer Sevens for the first time since 2002.
Scottish giants Rangers and Celtic are also taking part together with newly crowned Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven.
Reigning Asian club champions Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan will be going for their third Soccer Sevens title after winning in 2005 and 2006 while Australia’s U20s national team – playing as the Australian Institute of Sport – will make their debut.
The Masters competition will include the Barclays Wealth All Stars, who will have former Nottingham Forest and England defender Des Walker in their line-up together with ex-Premiership stars Marcus Gayle, Ruel Fox, Ken Monkou and Kevin Gallagher.
Also competing for the Masters crown will be the Glasgow Rangers All Stars, featuring some of the players who helped the club win nine Scottish League titles in a row from 1989 to 1997.
A total of 32 teams will take part in the HKFC Philips Lighting International Soccer Sevens, 16 in the Main competition and 16 in the Masters.
Each competition will feature a pool round followed by knockout games for the Cup, Shield and Plate (in the Main) and Cup and Plate (in the Masters).
Play will take place from 6:00pm to 8:30pm on Friday; from 8:00am to 8:00pm on Saturday; and from 8:00am to 7:00pm on Sunday.
Entry on Friday is free for all spectators, while all children under the age of 16 are allowed in free throughout the tournament. Adult tickets will cost HK$200 for two days (Saturday and Sunday sold together) or HK$120 for one day.
Tickets can be bought via the official website – www.hksoccersevens.com – or by calling Laxton Marketing on 2866 3110, or they can be purchased at the public entrance during the tournament.
ENDS
