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Premier League Asia Trophy

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Premier League Asia Trophy
A coloured photograph of the Chelsea squad standing on a podium, celebrating their second Premier League Asia Trophy win.
Chelsea celebrate with the tournament cup after winning the 2011 Premier League Asia Trophy.
Founded2003
Abolished2019
RegionAFC (Asia)
Number of teams4
Last championsWolverhampton Wanderers (1st title)
Most successful club(s)Chelsea (2 titles)

The Premier League Asia Trophy (formerly the FA Premier League Asia Cup[1][2]) is a biennial pre-season association football friendly tournament in Asia. The two-day competition was inaugurated in 2003 and is one of two Premier League-affiliated competitions to be hosted outside England, alongside the Premier League Summer Series in the US.[3][4] It has taken place every other summer since then in order to avoid conflicting with the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship.[5] For sponsorship purposes, it was referred to as the Barclays Asia Trophy from 2007 until 2015,[6] after which the Premier League discontinued title sponsorship.[7]

The competition features three clubs that are members of the Premier League,[A] as well as a local team from the host country. It employs a knockout system in which the winners of the first matches advance to the final, while the losing teams take part in a third place playoff.[4][9] The tournament format was partly modified for the 2017 edition, with no local team participating after the withdrawal of Shanghai SIPG.[10] A fourth Premier League club – Crystal Palace – agreed to take their place having avoided relegation and played alongside Liverpool, Leicester City, and West Bromwich Albion.[10] This marked the first time the tournament featured teams solely from the Premier League.[11][12]

Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in 2003, and finished victorious again in 2011. Seven other sides have won the Premier League Asia Trophy: Bolton Wanderers in 2005, Portsmouth in 2007, Tottenham Hotspur in 2009, Manchester City in 2013, Arsenal in 2015, Liverpool in 2017, and Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2019. Manchester City is the most regular participant, having contested the tournament on three occasions. Thailand's under-23 national team are the only local Asian side to advance to the final of the contest. Hong Kong has hosted the tournament four times, more than any other city.

History

[edit]

The FA Premier League Asia Cup, as it was originally known, was first organised in March 2003 by ESPN STAR Sports and formally announced by the league's chairman, Dave Richards.[13] It was established as a result of "the increasing popularity of the Premier League in the continent".[5] Asia and Oceania accounted for the league's largest audience during the 2013–14 season with 339.5 million viewers. Moreover, China (52%), India (49%), and Thailand (47%) had "the largest broadcast penetration" among international markets after Nigeria.[14] With the contest scheduled to take place three weeks before the start of the league season, it is intended to serve as the last warm-up event for participating teams before they embark on competitive football.[13]

The inaugural tournament took place between 24 July and 27 July 2003,[15] with Chelsea, Newcastle, Birmingham City, and Malaysia taking part.[16] The final saw 47,500 people filling the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.[17] Chelsea won the first tournament, edging Newcastle 5–4 in a penalty shootout that went to sudden death after a goalless draw at full time.[1][17] Two years later Bolton Wanderers made an appearance alongside Everton, Manchester City, and the Thai under-23 national team, and defeated the local side 1–0 in the final, courtesy of a late penalty by El Hadji Diouf.[18]

A near-capacity crowd watch Liverpool play South China on the first day of the pre-season tournament.
Liverpool facing South China in 2007 at the Hong Kong Stadium, which also hosted the 2011, 2013, and 2017 editions of the tournament.

The 2007 edition was held in Hong Kong, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the city's transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom to China.[19] It was the first event to feature Barclays as the title sponsor.[6][20] The title match was an upset in which Portsmouth held Liverpool to a goalless draw, before their goalkeeper David James saved two spot kicks in the ensuing penalty shootout that ended 4–2 in Portsmouth's favour.[21][22] Despite the fact that the Premier League Asia Trophy was sold out for the first time in its history,[23] the right to host the 2009 competition was awarded to Beijing.[24] The attendance for that contest, however, was underwhelming, with only 10,000 people present for the final at the 66,000-capacity Workers' Stadium,[25] where Tottenham Hotspur beat Hull City 3–0 thanks to a brace from Robbie Keane.[26]

The next two tournaments saw the Premier League Asia Trophy return to Hong Kong. In 2011, Chelsea participated in the competition a second time,[27] and regained the trophy by triumphing 2–0 against Aston Villa before a capacity crowd at the Hong Kong Stadium.[28] Manchester City won the 2013 event,[29] which was overshadowed by heavy rain causing the semifinal matches to be abbreviated to 80 minutes and leading to the degradation of the stadium's playing surface.[30][31] The quality of the pitch was universally lambasted,[32] especially after several players were consequently injured while playing on it.[29][31][33]

The 2015 edition was hosted by Singapore to honour the city-state's 50th anniversary of independence from Malaysia.[34][35] Arsenal claimed their first Premier League Asia Trophy, routing the host country's Select XI side 4–0 behind a Chuba Akpom hat-trick,[36] before defeating Everton 3–1 in the final. The event saw tournament attendance records broken for most people at a single match day (52,107) and the largest cumulative attendance across the two days (just short of 82,000).[37][38]

The 2017 event featured Liverpool, Leicester City, West Bromwich Albion, and Crystal Palace.[10] Due to the success of the Asia Trophy, the Premier League has considered establishing similar competitions in other continents to broaden their global presence. Richard Scudamore, the league's executive chairman, envisions Africa and the United States to be likely locations for such tournaments.[39][40]

Tournaments

[edit]
Key
Team (X) Name of the team and number of times they had finished in the position at that point (if more than one)
‡ Denotes the local team from the host country
Premier League Asia Trophy tournaments
Edition Year Winner Runner-up Third Fourth Venue Ref(s)
1 2003 Chelsea Newcastle United Birmingham City Malaysia‡ Bukit Jalil National Stadium (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) [1][41]
2 2005 Bolton Wanderers Thailand U23‡ Manchester City Everton Rajamangala Stadium (Bangkok, Thailand) [18]
3 2007 Portsmouth Liverpool Fulham South China‡ Hong Kong Stadium
(Hong Kong) 		[21][42]
4 2009 Tottenham Hotspur Hull City West Ham United Beijing Guoan‡ Workers' Stadium
(Beijing, China) 		[26][43]
5 2011 Chelsea (2) Aston Villa Blackburn Rovers Kitchee‡ Hong Kong Stadium
(Hong Kong) 		[28]
6 2013 Manchester City Sunderland Tottenham Hotspur South China‡ (2) Hong Kong Stadium
(Hong Kong) 		[29][44]
7 2015 Arsenal Everton Stoke City Singapore Select XI‡ National Stadium (Singapore) [45]
8 2017 Liverpool Leicester City Crystal Palace West Bromwich Albion Hong Kong Stadium
(Hong Kong) 		[46]
9 2019 Wolverhampton Wanderers Manchester City Newcastle United West Ham United Hongkou Football Stadium
(Shanghai, China)
Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre
(Nanjing, China)

Performance by team

[edit]
Aston Villa and Chelsea players line up on the pitch ahead of the 2011 final.
Aston Villa and Chelsea contested the 2011 final, with the latter prevailing 2–0.[28]
Theo Walcott dribbles past Gareth Barry and James McCarthy at the National Stadium in Singapore.
Gareth Barry (left) and James McCarthy (right) featured in the 2015 edition of the Premier League Asia Trophy for Everton, while Theo Walcott (centre) did so for Arsenal.
Premier League Asia Trophy performances by team
Team Winner Runner-up Third Fourth Total
Chelsea 2 — — — 2
Manchester City 1 1 1 — 3
Liverpool 1 1 — — 2
Tottenham Hotspur 1 — 1 — 2
Bolton Wanderers 1 — — — 1
Portsmouth 1 — — — 1
Arsenal 1 — — — 1
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 — — — 1
Newcastle United — 1 1 — 2
Everton — 1 — 1 2
Thailand U23 — 1 — — 1
Hull City — 1 — — 1
Aston Villa — 1 — — 1
Sunderland — 1 — — 1
Leicester City — 1 — — 1
West Ham United — — 1 1 2
Birmingham City — — 1 — 1
Fulham — — 1 — 1
Blackburn Rovers — — 1 — 1
Stoke City — — 1 — 1
Crystal Palace — — 1 — 1
South China — — — 2 2
Malaysia — — — 1 1
Beijing Guoan — — — 1 1
Kitchee — — — 1 1
Singapore Select XI — — — 1 1
West Bromwich Albion — — — 1 1

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The three clubs are selected according to their position in the league table. One of the teams selected achieved the top five, the other team finished in sixth to tenth place, while the final team placed eleventh to fifteenth.[8]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Chelsea lift Asia Cup". BBC Sport. BBC. 27 July 2003. Archived from the original on 23 April 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  2. ^ Jones, Adam (26 June 2015). "Can Barclays Asia Trophy be springboard for Everton". Liverpool Echo. Archived from the original on 2 May 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  3. ^ "Everton To Play Asia Trophy In Singapore". Everton Football Club. 11 March 2015. Archived from the original on 9 September 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Barclays Asia Trophy 2013 – Guide to The Tournament" (PDF). TottenhamHotspur.com. Premier League. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 June 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  5. ^ a b Thomas, Phil (14 July 2015). "What Is The Asia Trophy?". Everton Football Club. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  6. ^ a b "Barclays Asia Trophy kicks off in Singapore". Barclays. 15 July 2015. Archived from the original on 5 May 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2017. This is the fifth time that Barclays has sponsored the event, after tournaments in Hong Kong in 2007, Beijing in 2009 and Hong Kong again in 2011 and 2013, when Manchester City lifted the trophy.
  7. ^ Critchley, Mark (9 February 2016). "Premier League new logo unveiled for sponsor-free 2016/17 season". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  8. ^ "Liverpool heading for Hong Kong". South China Morning Post. Hong Kong. 7 February 2007. Archived from the original on 1 May 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  9. ^ "Arsenal set for Barclays Asia Trophy". Arsenal.com. Arsenal Football Club. 11 March 2015. Archived from the original on 5 May 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  10. ^ a b c Percy, John (22 May 2017). "Liverpool to face Leicester, Crystal Palace and West Brom in summer Premier League Asia Trophy". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 23 August 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  11. ^ Church, Michael (25 May 2017). "Leicester, Liverpool to feature in Asia Trophy in Hong Kong". Reuters. Archived from the original on 27 May 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  12. ^ "Premier League Asia Trophy coming to Hong Kong". Premier League. 25 May 2017. Archived from the original on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  13. ^ a b "ESPN Star Sports Organises New F.A Premier League Asia Cup". Sportcal.com. SPORTCAL Global Communications. 3 March 2003. Archived from the original on 2 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  14. ^ Nalapat, Abilash (16 July 2015). "Barclays Asia Trophy vital for EPL growth in Asia, says Scudamore". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  15. ^ "Newcastle defeat Birmingham". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 July 2003. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2017. They will now play in the final of the competition against either Chelsea o[r] Malaysia on Sunday while Birmingham will play in a third-place play off on Saturday.
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  18. ^ a b "Bolton top Thailand, Man City edge Everton in Asia friendlies". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Agence France-Presse. 24 July 2005. Archived from the original on 29 April 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  19. ^ Vella, Silvio (27 July 2007). "Football: The Best summer attractions". The Malta Independent. Archived from the original on 2 May 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  20. ^ "Barclays Asia Trophy returns to Hong Kong". Barclays. 17 January 2013. Archived from the original on 3 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017. This is the sixth Asia Trophy, with the others having previously been held in Kuala Lumpur (2003), Bangkok (2005), Hong Kong (2007 and 2011) and Beijing (2009). Barclays is the title sponsor of the Asia Trophy for the fourth time.
  21. ^ a b "Portsmouth stun Liverpool on penalties". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Agence France-Presse. 28 July 2007. Archived from the original on 12 March 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  22. ^ "Portsmouth 0–0 Liverpool (4–2 on penalties)". RTÉ.ie. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 9 August 2007. Archived from the original on 29 January 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  23. ^ "Liverpool keen to make HK return". South China Morning Post. Hong Kong. 15 September 2009. Archived from the original on 29 January 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  24. ^ "Beijing gets nod ahead of HK for Asia Trophy". South China Morning Post. Hong Kong. 21 January 2009. Archived from the original on 29 January 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  25. ^ "Fans can't help falling in love with EPL giants". South China Morning Post. Hong Kong. 31 July 2011. Archived from the original on 29 January 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  26. ^ a b "Robbie Keane strikes twice as Spurs beat Hull to win Asia Trophy". The Guardian. London. 31 July 2009. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  27. ^ Shine, Ossian (19 October 2010). "Chelsea lead field for 2011 Asia Trophy in Hong Kong". Reuters. Archived from the original on 3 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  28. ^ a b c "Chelsea crowned Barclays Asia Trophy champions". Barclays. 1 August 2011. Archived from the original on 1 May 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  29. ^ a b c Porteous, James (28 July 2013). "Manchester City rue 1–0 Barclay's Asia victory after Matija Nastajic is injured". South China Morning Post. Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  30. ^ Linden, Julian (11 March 2015). "Arsenal, Everton and Stoke City to play in Asia trophy". Reuters. Archived from the original on 3 May 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  31. ^ a b Porteous, James (25 November 2016). "English Premier League clubs could be set to return to Hong Kong next summer – despite farcical scenes on 'killer pitch' last time". South China Morning Post. Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 24 May 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  32. ^ Chan, Kin-wa; Porteous, James (29 July 2013). "Will Asia Trophy be back? Pitch woes put Hong Kong host at risk of losing out". South China Morning Post. Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 1 August 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  33. ^ Twomey, Liam (27 July 2013). "Manchester United cancel training session amid safety fears". Goal.com. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 3 May 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  34. ^ Kalinic, Dejan (11 March 2015). "Arsenal, Everton and Stoke to play in Asia Trophy". Goal.com. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 3 May 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  35. ^ Humphreys, Neil (16 March 2015). "EPL big boys coming to Singapore, but at what cost?". FourFourTwo. Haymarket Media Group. Archived from the original on 1 January 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  36. ^ Dasey, Jason (15 July 2015). "Akpom hat trick powers lethargic Arsenal to Barclays Asia Trophy final". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Archived from the original on 3 May 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  37. ^ "Barclays Asia Trophy 2015 hailed as 'best ever'". Barclays. 20 July 2015. Archived from the original on 1 May 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  38. ^ Chua, Siang Yee (19 July 2015). "Football: Premier League chief open to holding Barclays Asia Trophy in Singapore again". The Straits Times. Singapore. Archived from the original on 3 May 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  39. ^ "Africa may host Premier League Trophy". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 March 2016. Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  40. ^ "English Premier League exploring global expansion". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Associated Press. 7 October 2014. Archived from the original on 2 May 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017. (subscription required)
  41. ^ "John brace earns Blues win". BBC Sport. BBC. 26 July 2003. Archived from the original on 23 April 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  42. ^ "Fulham brush aside South China". South China Morning Post. Hong Kong. 28 July 2007. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  43. ^ "Keane brace helps Spurs win Asia Trophy". Irish Examiner. Cork. 31 July 2009. Archived from the original on 29 April 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  44. ^ "Defoe nets hat-trick in Spurs' demolition of South China". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. 27 July 2013. Archived from the original on 2 May 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  45. ^ "Theo Walcott sets Arsenal on way to win over Everton in Asia Trophy final". The Guardian. London. Press Association. 18 July 2015. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  46. ^ Ryding, Paul (22 July 2017). "Liverpool win Premier League Asia Trophy". South China Morning Post. Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 8 March 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2017.

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