Young Foxes Reflect On Hong Kong Triumph

The Foxes won all six of their matches in Happy Valley, including a 3-0 victory over holders Aston Villa in the final, to win their first Sevens title since a maiden success back in 2013.

Striker Josh Eppiah was named as the Player of the Tournament after ending the contest with eight goals to his name. Josh Gordon, meanwhile, found the net three times and everyone within the 10-man contingent can look back on the competition with pride.

Captained by central midfielder Hamza Choudhury, City were deserved champions and flew back home on Tuesday with a clutch of new fans in the Far East.

Development Squad coach Ben Petty: "I'm really proud of them. I thought we were outstanding throughout. We were fearless in the final... outstanding. We gradually improved, we got better with every game. It's an outstanding effort. I'm delighted for the boys.

"They've been a credit to the Club this week so I'm proud. Anything can happen in the knockouts but, when we went a goal behind, we showed that bit of resilience. To play against Villa, the champions of last year, and to do that to them, that takes an outstanding effort."

Skipper Hamza Choudhury: “We were disappointed not to win it last year. We put in a lot of work and we came out and we’ve done what the gaffer’s told us before the game. To win any competition you’ve got to have the rub of the green but along with that I feel we’ve put in the hard work.

"We’ve been clinical and the boys have deserved it. It would have been tough for anyone to beat us on our day and we definitely performed when it mattered. It's a great achievement for all of us and it's hopefully one we can build on when the new season starts in August.”

Striker Josh Gordon: “Now, it’s about celebrating what we’ve done because we’ve come a long way. It’s a funny gameplay here. It’s not just about the skills, it’s about determination and team work as well. Every team had a different style of play so we had to keep adapting to match them.

“With the players we’ve got, we were able to do it and we showed that by winning the tournament. At the start, it was a bit difficult and you had to get used to it. Having Ben, who has also been here before, sorting out the tactics before the game, was a big help.”

Top goal-scorer Josh Eppiah: “I’m over the moon and proud of myself. I took my chances well but the team and the staff around me have helped me a lot. It was a real team effort which makes us proud. This whole tournament has been amazing and I’d love to come back next year.

"I’m still a youngster and have more years to come back and do the same as I did today. The boys fought, held on, came back and in the final we were all up for it so we came out and gave it everything.”