(A-Leagues)
Newy 87.8 FM – Newcastle Jets coach Mark Milligan is urging his players to remain brave as they prepare to host Kevin Muscat's Shanghai Port in the AFC Champions League Elite on Tuesday night.
The Jets have lost all three of their matches in the 2026/27 competition so far.
Newcastle were beaten 7-1 by Kashima Antlers in their opener, before a 3-1 loss to Gamba Osaka and a 5-2 defeat to Kyoto Sanga.
Muscat has led Shanghai to three titles as coach: the 2024 and 2025 Chinese Super League titles and the 2024 Chinese FA Cup.
Shanghai are fifth in the Chinese Super League ahead of the final round, and have a win, a draw and a loss from their three ACL Elite matches.
Despite the big difference in squad sizes and salaries, Milligan said on Monday that gap does not mean the Jets should not be able to compete.
“Slowly, slowly, you're seeing us get better and better at competing. And it's going to take time,” Milligan said.
“When I look at the performance, there's no red flags there to say that we're not on the right path.”
Milligan feels his squad is far more advanced than it was a year ago.
Muscat, who coached Milligan at Melbourne Victory, said the former Socceroo always showed leadership qualities on the field.
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