Similar to the popular Rugby Sevens, matches at the Hong Kong tournament are played over seven minute halves with seven players per side.

The pitch is also roughly five metres smaller on each side than normal. Other rules are virtually the same as regular football, however offside is not used and drawn knockout games are decided by a frantic four-minute golden goal period with just four players per side.

McBreen believed the Sevens concept could catch on around the world and also hoped to see more Australian representation in future Hong Kong editions.

Action from the Sevens match between French club Marseille and Hong Kong club Kitchee

“I think it should catch on, it's a really good concept,” he said. “It's a totally different style to 11 v 11 – normally when the teams come, you don't really get it in the first game with the offside and the things that are different.

“They're trying to go more global with more teams from other countries so I'd love to see an Aussie team here, why not?”

Sixteen teams, mainly Academy and Under-23 sides, from around the world participated in this year's main competition.

In addition to the English clubs and Wellington, well-known sides including Rangers, Bayer Leverkusen, Marseille, Cagliari and Kashima Antlers were involved.

The young British talent shone across the weekend, with attractive passing football being a feature.

The main final was a battle between the tournament's two top scorers, Leicester's Josh Eppiah and Aston Villa's Harry McKirdy.

Eppiah scored twice in the final as Leicester won 3-0 to deny the Villains, who are the most successful club in Hong Kong Sevens history with six triumphs, a second straight title.

A Citi All Stars team including the likes of former Premier League players Luis Boa Morte, Frank Sinclair and Lauren beat Wallsend 3-2 to win the masters final, while famous names including Emile Heskey, David James, Colin Hendry and Mikael Silvestre also turned out for the playON Pros side.

Premier League representation was not restricted to the players as top-flight official Roger East flew to Hong Kong to be a guest referee.