The Premier League have announced the third Barclays Asia Trophy is to be held in Hong Kong in partnership with the Hong Kong FA.
The 2007/08 season curtain-raiser tournament, which Barclays are sponsoring for the first time, features Liverpool, Portsmouth, Fulham and the winner of the Hong Kong FA Cup competing in the 40,000 capacity Hong Kong Stadium.
The Barclays Asia Trophy sees two double-headers played on July 24 and 27, with all matches screened locally by now TV and in the UK by Sky Sports.
Barclays Asia Trophy schedule:
Portsmouth v Fulham: Tues 24 July 2007 6pm (11am UK time)
Liverpool v Hong Kong FA Cup Winners: Tues 24 July 2007 8.15pm (1.15pm UK)
3rd & 4th play-off: Fri 27 July 2007 6pm (11am UK time)
Final: Fri 27 July 2007 8.15pm (1.15pm UK)
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: “The Barclays Premiership has a fantastic following across East Asia, and nowhere more so than in Hong Kong.
"This is a great opportunity for those fans who follow our competition week in week out to experience what a Barclays Premiership game is like in the flesh.
“We have three fantastic clubs who will be putting out strong teams and aiming to win this increasingly prestigious trophy, and I am sure the winners of the Hong Kong FA Cup will be determined to compete.”
Robert E Diamond Jr, Barclays President, said: “Hong Kong is one of the financial hubs of Asia where we have a growing presence so we are delighted to be sponsoring this tournament for the first time.
"The Barclays Asia Trophy will give us powerful brand visibility and the chance to engage with football fans outside the UK.”
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: “We know that we have a lot of fans in Hong Kong and are looking forward to playing in front of them again.
"I’m sure they will give us wonderful support and we will do our best to win the Barclays Asia Trophy for them.”
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp added: "We are very much looking forward to playing in the Barclays Asia Trophy and playing two competitive matches so close to the start of the new season will play a big part in our pre-season preparation.
"Hong Kong is a beautiful part of the world and I'm sure the players will revel in the surroundings."
David McNally, managing director of Fulham, said: “The Barclays Asia Trophy promises to be a fiercely fought competition and will offer all three Barclays Premiership clubs the opportunity to prepare correctly for the new season’s campaign.
“The fans in Hong Kong will, I’m sure, appreciate watching three teams from the Barclays Premiership compete against the winner of the Hong Kong FA Cup and we are certain that the atmosphere at the games will be extremely exciting.
"We are delighted to be able to take part in this prestigious competition, and look forward to completing our pre-season preparations on a high.”
Martin Hong, chairman of the HKFA, is excited about the tournament being held in Hong Kong.
He said: “We have had Barclays Premiership clubs playing exhibition matches in Hong Kong for years, and this will be the first time that a genuine Premier League tournament is organized in town.
"The local football fans will be treated with a high quality and competitive tournament live.
"HKFA is renowned for its capability to host prestigious matches and tournaments, and arrangements in all aspects will be well executed to ensure the success of the tournament."
Alex Arena, group managing director of PCCW said, “PCCW is delighted to be the sole TV broadcaster of the Premier League in Hong Kong, including the Barclays Asia Trophy.
"For people who cannot watch the matches on-site, they can choose to watch them via the multiple platforms - now TV, broadband Internet, PCCW mobile and fixed-line - that PCCW offers.”