(A-Leagues)
Newy 87.8 FM – The Newcastle Jets have suffered a 3-1 loss to Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Elite at McDonald Jones Stadium on Tuesday night, but coach Mark Milligan says his side can take plenty of positives from the defeat.
Greek striker Nikos Vergos gave the Jets the lead in the 31st minute despite the Japanese side dominating the opening stages.
Gamba Osaka levelled before the break through a Yusei Toshia header, crossed by former Jets star Eli Adams. Adams then set up substitute Deniz Hummet, who slotted past James Delianov to make it 2-1, before Brazilian Welton scored late to seal the 3-1 result.
The Jets had a Daniel Wilmering effort cleared off the line in the second half.
"We haven't played a competitive game other than the Antlers game, and I think for 75 minutes we were fantastic," Milligan said. "But proud doesn't make us a better team. Their effort tonight makes us a better team."
Attention now turns to the Jets' 2026/27 A-League Men season opener against Central Coast Mariners at polytec Stadium on Saturday night.
"We'll put up as fresh a team as possible and a team that's going to go out on Saturday and win a game," Milligan said.
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