Western United sent an Under-17 squad to the 2024 K League Asian Youth Championship 2024 for a fantastic development opportunity last month.
Western came up against some of the best youth sides in Asia, providing valuable experience for our staff and young players, with the team scoring a total of 10 goals across five games.
Jung Hyun, Head of Youth Development at the K League said:
“We were happy to welcome Western United to the tournament to provide valuable experience for their youth players and coaches. They were impressive inside and outside of the pitch.”
Western United K League Asian Youth Championship 2024 Results
Match Day 1: Jeju Jeil High School 1-5 Western United
Goals: A.Marmura (14′), A.Back (34′, 62′), E.Robinson (53′), L.Van Heer (56′)
It was a strong first game for Western’s squad as Alex Marmura opened the scoring, quickly setting up a one-two with Nahom Yohannes and hitting the ball into the bottom-left corner. Issa Hailu then set up Anderson Back who scored with a terrific first touch. The local high school hit back after half time to make it 2-1 but three goals in nine minutes from Western sealed the three points. Ethan Robinson headed the ball in from a corner, and minutes later Lenny Van Heer got on the end of a quick transition before Back scored again, this time with his left foot to curl it in past the keeper.
Match Day 2: Western United 1-4 Roasso Kumamoto
Goal: T.Servin (7′)
Western started their fixture against tournament runners up Roasso Kumamoto perfectly, with both teams employing a high press it was the green and black who struck first through a brilliant counter-attacking solo run from Tobias Servin. The Japanese outfit unfortunately would hit back, showing their experience in equalising just before half time prior to taking the lead in the second half.
Match Day 3: Ulsan HD 4-0 Western United
The third match day saw Western taste defeat against eventual tournament winners and Korean giants Ulsan HD. An early goal in transition for Ulsan helped set up their win, despite the best efforts of our U17 squad and some strong defending against the home side.
Match Day 4: Pohang Steelers 3-2 Western United
Goals: T.Servin (27′, 62′)
Western arguably played its best football against the former champions of both Korea and Asia Pohang Steelers on Match Day 4. Pohang scored with a quick one-two movement after 13 minutes, but it would not deter Western’s aggressive style. Their pressure paid off on 27 minutes as Servin pounced on a loose pass to beat the keeper from close range. Although Pohang took the lead shortly after, the second half saw Western lift their game even further, defending resolutely and creating plenty of chances up the other end. An equaliser came late in the half as Pohang’s defence failed to clear their lines and Servin made it a brace for the match. With injuries piling up, Western were unable to hang on for a draw with a late winner for Pohang sealing the victory.
Match Day 5: Western United 2-2 Jeju United
Goals: E.Robinson (28′, 54′)
The last match for the tour saw Western come up against local K League outfit Jeju United. An entertaining first half saw Jeju United take the lead and then double it within 26 minutes, however just minutes later, Robinson lobbed the goalkeeper from distance to get one back. The second half was won by Western though, who levelled up the scoring after Yohannes turned the ball over to enable a clinical finish for Robinson once again who would tie with Servin for Western’s top goal scorer at the tournament as a result.
Squad: Winston Ashburner, Anderson Back, Jacob Buchanan, Emilio Datario, Noah Grieve, Issachar Hailu, Zain Imran, Zackaria Kaddour, William Kengni, Bailee Kocankovski, Alex Marmura, Noah Milis, Makuac Reec, Ethan Robinson, Jahan Sanghera, Tobias Servin, Lenny Van Heer, Nahom Yohannes
