Premier League Asia Trophy

The Barclays Asia Trophy is a prestigious four-team football tournament complete by three Premier League football clubs and a local team from the host. In 2007, the trophy was won by Portsmouth.

History

Due to the immense popularity of the English Premier League in Asia, the league has held three pre-season tournaments in Asia previously, known as the FA Premier League Asia Cup, the only Premier League affiliated tournaments ever to have been held outside England.

The Asia Trophy is held once every two years in odd years, to avoid the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship tournaments.

2003 Malaysia

In July 2003 the competition was held in Malaysia, featuring three Premiership clubs, Chelsea F.C., Newcastle United F.C. and Birmingham City F.C., and the Malaysian national team. All matches were played in the 80,000 capacity Bukit Jalil Stadium. The final was won by Chelsea F.C. after a penalty shoot-out.

2005 Thailand

In 2005 the Asia Trophy featured a similar format, held in Thailand and featuring the Thailand national football team competing against three English clubs Everton F.C., Manchester City F.C. and Bolton Wanderers F.C., the latter of whom won the trophy.

2007 Hong Kong

In 2007 the competition was held in Hong Kong, where Liverpool F.C., Portsmouth F.C., Fulham F.C. and South China AA took part. The first match was won by Portsmouth 1-0 after a goal by Benjani in the 45th minute. Liverpool won 3-1 against South China thanks to a Riise free-kick and an Alonso penalty. South China pulled a goal back with a 40 yard Li Haiqiang free-kick, but was made irrelevant when Daniel Agger scored to make it 3-1. Fulham beat South China 4-1 in the 3rd place play-off. Portsmouth beat Liverpool 4-2 on penalties to win the Barclays Asia Trophy after a goalless draw, with Pompey goalkeeper David James saving penalties from Yossi Benayoun and Fernando Torres.

2009

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore claimed after the 2007 event that the Hong Kong event has been very successful, but the 2009 edition might still be staged in Beijing or Shanghai instead.

List of winners