Shandong Luneng to call Football NSW HQ home
The future stars of Chinese Super League outfit Shandong Luneng Taishan’s Under 19s squad are set to call Valentine Sports Park home for the next ten days as part of the club’s upcoming World Tournament preparations.
The 25-man squad led by coach Xuewei Fan arrived at the ‘Home of Football’ in Glenwood on Tuesday evening where they will be utilising the venue as a base for accommodation and training as well as having organised five friendly matches against NSW and Northern NSW opposition.
Friday 17th of June will see the team take on Hyundai A-League’s Newcastle Jets Under 20s side in Newcastle while Sunday the 19th of June will feature a clash against Northern Suburbs Association outfit Chatswood Rangers at Valentine Sports Park with kick off scheduled for 4pm.
Valentine Sports Park will then play host again to friendly matches on Tuesday 21st of June against the Bonnyrigg White Eagles Under 20s squad (7:30pm), Wednesday 22nd of June against the Rockdale City Suns Under 20s squad (7:30pm) and rounding up their Sydney trip on Thursday 23rd of June against the Northern Tigers Under 20s squad (7:30pm).
Football NSW CEO Eddie Moore was looking forward to Shandong Luneng Taishan’s visit.
“It’s great to see the venue utilised by some of Asia’s best teams in this instance being Chinese club Shandong Luneng Taishan.
“With some great friendly matches organised, I am sure the team will get what they need out of this experience.
“Since Australia’s involvement with the Asian Football Confederation, interests from both club and country teams wishing to use Valentine Sports Park as a training hub has risen.”
Since redevelopment in 2015, the venue has seen a number of Asian club teams utilise Valentine Sports Park as a training hub with the likes of Chinese Super League outfits Guangzhou Evergrande and Guangzhou R&F as well as Japanese J-League side Kashima Antlers use the facility.
Australian Football’s partnership with Asian football scene has strengthened since the successful hosting of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup tournament that saw the Socceroos crowned Asian champions for the first time in its history.
Following this memorable achievement, Hyundai A-League clubs have also endured successful AFC Asian Champions League campaigns, one being the Western Sydney Wanderers who took out the 2014 title while a number of Asian players have called Australia home plying their trade with Hyundai A-League and State League clubs.
