The exciting Jockey Club International Youth Invitational Football Tournament 2017 wrapped up in successful manner last weekend. After game-after-game of thrilling battles throughout the three match days, Thailand U18 and U15 sides emerged as worthy winners in their respective age groups and took home the championship crowns.

Hong Kong U18 clashed heads with Thailand U18, Singapore U18 and Chinese Taipei U18 in this year's tournament. The home side fell short against Chinese Taipei in the opening game but came back strong to defeat Singapore in the second match. Entering the final match day, all four competing sides boasted an identical record of one win and one loss, setting up a truly spectacle for the attending crowd. Unfortunately for Hong Kong U18, the host could not hold on to its lead and allowed Thailand to comeback and nailed down a win, eventually finishing fourth in this year's competition.

Hong Kong U15, another hometown team in this year's tournament, started the competition in swashbuckling fashion, edging Singapore U15 and Qatar U15 successively before going toe-to-toe against another all-conquering side Thailand U15. However, Hong Kong U15 ran out of gas in the final match and fell short against the visiting Thais, allowing the South East Asian side to finish as the champion while coming up as the first runner-up.

Hong Kong U18 forward Ethan Yeung, who finished the U18 tournament as the top scorer, was quite disappointed at not being to help his side to finish higher in the final standing.

“We entered the last match day with a great chance of winning the whole tournament – as long as we win the final game. We started the game with a bang, scored early but made some mistakes, allowed two goals and eventually lost the game, which was very hard to take. Despite giving our best in each and every game, wrapping up the tournament in such manner is thoroughly disappointing,” said the burly striker.

Hong Kong U15 winger Connor Tong believed the team had given its all over the past three days and was satisfied with a second-place finish.

“Playing three tough matches in three consecutive days, it was a true test for both our will and fitness recovery. While we lost to Thailand in the final match, we still managed to defeat Singapore and Qatar, which was actually quite a decent achievement in itself,” Tong concluded.