Newcastle Jets will welcome the entire Liaoning Whowin FC playing squad, staff and management to McDonald Jones Stadium this Saturday when the club takes on Melbourne Victory in the Hyundai A-League.
The Jets helped facilitate a pre-season tour for Liaoning – the Chinese Super League club Newcastle defeated 3-2 in Huludao, China last August.
The ‘Northeast Tigers’ are currently based in the Hunter Valley and are conducting regular sessions at Cessnock Sportsground.
Over the coming weeks Liaoning will play local sides Broadmeadow Magic FC, Edgeworth Eagles FC, and a mixed Jets reserve/youth team in friendly/practice matches.
Featuring Socceroo Robbie Kruse, former Jets star James Holland, ex Werder Bremen gun Anthony Ujah, and Zambian national team attacker James Chamanga, Liaoning possess a host of talent for the teams to challenge themselves against.
Newcastle Jets Chief Executive Officer Lawrie McKinna said that the visit of Liaoning Whowin FC – plus the arrival of Shenzhen Renren FC later this month – underlined the Club’s growing relationship with Chinese football.
“We are delighted that we have been able to help provide local PS4 National Premier League clubs with the chance to play against international opponents during their pre-season campaigns,” McKinna said.
“Broadmeadow (vs. Liaoning), Edgeworth (vs. Liaoning) and Maitland (vs. Shenzhen) will each have this opportunity this month, and we believe that is great news not only for their respective clubs and local football fans, but for the growth and exposure of football in the region.”
“The fact Chinese teams are choosing to conduct training camps and friendly matches in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley is superb for the entire area from sporting and economic perspectives,” he said.
Liaoning Whowin FC will play Broadmeadow Magic FC at Magic Park, Broadmeadow at 7pm on Monday 13 February 2017, Edgeworth Eagles FC at Jack McLaughlan Oval, Edgeworth at 6:30pm on Wednesday 15 February 2017, and a Newcastle Jets XI at a venue yet to be confirmed at 10am on Wednesday 22 February 2017.
Shenzhen Renren FC will play Maitland FC at Cooks Square Park, East Maitland at 7pm on Thursday 23 February 2017.
