
Hnns Tournament 2025 Rules
Group Stage
The team listed first on the schedule is the home team. The home team is to supply 2 game balls and change jerseys if required.
Round robin games consist of 2 x 20 minutes halves with a 5 minute of break.
In order to determine first place in a group between teams with an equal number of points, the following order of tie-breakers will be used:
1) the final score in the meeting between these two tied teams (if more than 2 teams are tied for first, this will not be used)
2) goal differential in all group games
3) goals for
4) goals against
5) If everything is still equal, the group victor will then be decided by taking kicks from the penalty mark.
Extra Time
There will be no overtime for the duration of the tournament, only for the Championship game
The Championship game will be 2 x35 minute halves. If the game ends in a draw after regulation, 2 x 10 minute overtime periods will be played with no golden goal.
If a play-off game ends in a draw after extra time, 5 penalty kicks will be shot. If no winner is determined, penalty kicks will continue in ‘sudden – death’ format.
Discipline
Fines
Yellow Cards $25
Red Cards $50
Yellow Card Rules
Accumulation:
A player receives a one-match ban for accumulating three yellow cards in different matches before the quarter-final stage.
Reset After Quarter-Finals:
All yellow cards accumulated during the tournament are reset after the quarter-final stage
Direct Red Card:
A player who receives a direct red card for serious misconduct will be sent off automatically suspended for their team's next match. *A player may be suspended for more games based on the incident. This will be reviewed by the disciplinary committee and the team and player will be notified*
Two Yellows and a Red:
A player who receives two yellow cards in the same match is shown a red card, which results in their expulsion from the game and a one-match suspension.
Protest
Protests will only be accepted before or during the game directly to the referee and must be written in the referee’s report. Appeals will only be accepted after a game has been played. Team Representatives are obliged to examine all ID cards and players list in the presence of opponent representatives on the field where game is to be held and in the presence of a Referee and a club delegate. All protests and appeals come with a $50 fee and if the protest/appeal is successful then the club will be reimbursed.
Knockout Stage
5 Group Winners directly qualify for the knockout round
The 5 second place teams along with the best 3rd place team qualify for the wildcard round playoff
For the wildcard round the following seeds play each other
1 vs 6
2 vs 5
3 vs 4
Tie breaker Rules:
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Total Points
-
Goal Difference
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Goals For
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Goals Against
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Cards (The least amount of accumulated cards)
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Lastly if all criteria are the same a random draw for that seeding.
For the knockout stage the following seeds will play each other.
1 vs 8
2 vs 7
3 vs 6
4 vs 5
