Kashima Antlers 4-1 Newcastle Jets: Jets outclassed by holders, fail to reach ACL group stage
The Newcastle Jets have failed to reach the group stage of the Asian Champions League after being comprehensively beaten 4-1 by reigning champs Kashima Antlers in their final qualifying clash.
In their third game in just seven days, the Jets were outclassed by the J-League giants, whose quality going forward — headlined by star import Serginho and young gun Hiroki Abe — was simply too much for the travelling Aussie outfit.
“Just not good enough,” assessed Fox Football expert Mark Bosnich.
“Outclassed by a wonderful, wonderful side. No shame in that.”
Ernie Merrick’s men fell behind after just 18 minutes when Sho Ito was on hand to tap home the opener following a classy backheel from the Brazilian midfielder.
But a stroke of luck saw them level up the scores just six minutes later as Ronny Vargas’ speculative effort was deflected into the bottom corner.
It appeared they were back in the clash, despite continued forward pressure from Kashima, but shortly after a piece of diabolical defending ensured they would trail once again — and they never recovered. As a fairly harmless looking cross was floated in from the right, the Jets defenders — namely Johnny Koutroumbis — appeared to fall asleep at the wheel. Their inaction allowed Shuto Yamamoto to swoop in and head home unchallenged from point-blank range.
Goalkeeper Glen Moss’ livid expression said it all as the veteran’s defenders let him down shortly after he had pulled off a number of strong saves to maintain parity. Perhaps bizarrely, considering he conceded on three occasions, the stopper was the standout for the beaten Jets.
Needing to lift heavily on the other side of the halftime break, the Jets’ heavy schedule appeared to take its toll as the Japanese side — still in pre-season and playing their first competitive game in months — continued to mount the pressure.
And in the 67th minute, the game was all but over as Nigel Boogaard sent Leo Silva tumbling in the area, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a penalty. The Jets skipper protested the decision, but it was difficult to see any other outcome as the centre-back brought down his opponent well after the ball was released.
Serginho stepped up to the spot and made no mistake, sending Moss the wrong way, and the Jets fate looked to be sealed. And the Brazilian wasn’t done there, icing the cake in added time as he put the finishing touches to a rapid team move to finish into an empty net.
The Antlers amassed far more chances than their Aussie opponents, who had made a further seven changes to their lineup after resting a slew of stars for their 3-1 A-League win over Melbourne City at the weekend. And it seemed the right result that the holders claimed their spot in the group stage after a dominant 90 minute showing.
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Not the worst showing from the Jets but once again an Aussie outfit failed to get the job done on Japanese soil — across 28 matches there, A-League sides have managed to win just three in history.
“One thing I will say is any young coach that was watching out there in Australia,” Bosnich said.
“Whenever they’re in any doubt about how they should train their kids, just take that match, take it home, cut it up for yourself. The technique that they’ve got those Japanese players and the Brazilians obviously, in tight areas; their control, their ability to take on other players one-on-one for me is as good that you’ll see.
“You can do little games from any age, to let your young kids, whether they be boys or girls, become that proficient. It takes time — a long, long time. Obviously a massive debate in this country about how we bring up youngsters. Just take a template of that game, all you need is basically 30 by 30 metre space and to have players in tight areas continually just dribbling and scoring goals its not complicated.
“That is a template what Kashima showed here tonight for any Australian team and youngsters. Their technique, their one-on-one ability and their speed — that comes with playing in short areas.”
Having needed a pair of extra-time strikes to negotiate past Indonesian outfit Persija Jakarta last week, taking on one of the true juggernauts of Japanese football was a bridge too far for the Novocastrians — who sit 7th domestically as things stand.
An impressive showing from Kashima, who flexed their muscle and showed why they’re revered as one of the most feared in Asia.
The Jets’ exit means Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory will be the lone Australian representatives when the Asian Champions League group stage kicks off early next month.
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