WUFC Academy On Tour 🇨🇳

WUFC Academy Under-14 squad first Australian team to participate in the Xi’an Youth Football Invitational Tournament.

Last month, a selection of junior footballers from our WUFC Academy experienced a trip they will never forget heading to China to compete in the 2025 Xi’an Youth Football Invitational Tournament.

Organised in partnership with Talent Traits Management, a kind invitation from the Xian Sports Bureau and tournament organiser 秦英体育 was accepted and a squad of 19 WUFC Academy junior footballers headed to China for what would be an unforgettable football experience.

Led by WUFC Academy Director, Anthony Frost, the team from the west competed against clubs from China, Thailand, Belarus and Uzbekistan at the Xi’an Sports Training Centre.

Frost believed the trip was an amazing success for the Club and an experience a young group of footballers will never forget:

“The academy seeks out opportunities that not only will enrich the players development on the pitch but also off the pitch too. We have been lucky enough to be invited to a number of international tournaments now and excited for these opportunities to be available to our players in the future.

“We feel that exposure to International competition offers the chance for our players to benchmark themselves against high level players and teams, as well as experience varied playing styles and game formats. Our recent experience in China certainly provided this, and we have seen growth off the back of the tour for all of our players.”

Western won three out of five games, here’s a snapshot, reported on by WUFC Academy Operations Manager, Michael Ireland.

Match Day 1: Beijing Guoan 0-2 Western United

Goals: A.Demisse, S.Derakhshi

Western came out firing to start the tournament with a dominant performance, putting the Beijing side under constant pressure early on and scoring a solid team goal finished by Alazar Demisse. Soon after half time, Western doubled their lead with Suren Derakhshi curling the ball past the keeper to seal the three points.

Match Day 2: Western United 1-2 CFA Xi’an Academy

Goal: Own goal

The local Chinese FA representative side from Xi’an started strong in the second match, scoring two goals early in the first half and creating plenty of chances. Solid defending from the backline kept Western in the game, and in the second half the green and black would mount a late comeback. Western’s goal finally came after a misdirected header from the Xi’an defender breached their goal. Not long after it was a contentious penalty call up the other end, but luckily it was followed up by a terrific save from Alexander Simosis. Unfortunately it was too little, too late despite a spirited effort.

Match Day 3: Western United 2-4 Muangthong United

Goals: S.Derakhshi (P), A.Demisse

Western needed a win to qualify to finish second in the group, but a classy Thai outfit in Muangthong started strong with three goals in the first half. Some fresh faces after half time made instant impact, with Xavier Bouteloup winning a penalty which Derakhshi converted with confidence. With 10 minutes left, a cross was parried from the keeper into Demisse’s path making it 3-2, before one last goal shortly after from Muangthong unfortunately put the game to bed.

Match Day 4: Western United 1-0 FC Oq-tepa

Goal: S.Derakhshi

The green and black played the 4th-placed team from Group B in the penultimate match. Some early chances from the likes of Derakhshi, Maison Ramani and captain James Macfarlane put the Uzbek outfit on the back foot. Just after the half hour mark, a shot from Rizz Shawal was saved from the opposing keeper, before Derakhshi scored his third goal for the tournament from the subsequent deflection. In the second half, Western continued to dominate the attacking play and push for more goals, but had to settle for a 1-0 win.

Match Day 5: Western United 3-1 Xi’an

Goals: R.Kularatne, C.Ha, R.Aujla

Western finished off their tour playing for fifth place against the local Xi’an team. At 5 minutes, a short corner ended up at the feet of Ray Kularatne, who coolly slotted home into the bottom right corner of the net. Shortly before half time the lead was doubled through Caden Ha, and minutes after the break a tidy free kick from Demisse ended up on the head of Rehan Aujla and then into the net for 3-0. Later Xi’an would manage to find a consolation goal from a crowded set piece, but Western had all but sealed the result to finish the tour off strongly.

Learn more about the trip by watching a short documentary of the experience here.

The WUFC Academy and Western United Football Club would like to thank Talent Trait Management, the Xian Sports Bureau and tournament organiser 秦英体育 for providing this opportunity. Also, thanks to the players, parents and WUFC staff for the effort and togetherness demonstrated to make the experience one we will never forget.

Forever West 💚