How Newcastle United fared on day one of the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens - with Elias Sorensen shining
Newcastle United have qualified for the knockout stages of the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens - after going unbeaten through the group stages of the competition.
The annual tournament has pitted Ben Dawson's under-23 side against some of the most promising youngsters in England and abroad, with the young Magpies yet again showing their credentials with some fine displays.
Newcastle were drawn in Group C alongside Brighton & Hove Albion, Asian champions Kashima Antlers from Japan and Hong Kong’s Kerry Yau Yee League Select.
And the young side ended the group with two wins and a draw to their name - sealing their place at the summit and ensuring they qualify for tomorrow's knockout stages.
A strike from Kelland Watts - called into Rafa Benitez's first-team squad for the trip to Fulham - sealed a win against the Kerry Yau Yee League Select in the opening fixture.
Elias Sorensen, who has impressed throughout the tournament thus far, then netted the decisive goal in a 1-0 win over Kashima Antlers.
Brighton managed to hold the Magpies to a 0-0 draw in the final group game, in a result which sealed top spot.
And Newcastle's Matty Longstaff was delighted to see the side achieve their aim of qualifying from the group - having done similar last year.
"We're obviously really happy," he said.
"We set our sights on getting out the group and to top it and we've done that, so I think we're pretty happy.
"We've been good, we've been disciplined and scored two good goals."
Newcastle are aiming to win the tournament for a third time, having last lifted the trophy in 2012.