Newcastle Jets Head Coach Mark Milligan says he couldn’t be prouder of his side in the wake of their gut-wrenching penalty shootout loss to Sydney FC in the Isuzu UTE A-League semi-finals.
Milligan’s side clawed their way back into the semi-final second leg care of Eli Adams’ dramatic late equaliser at McDonald Jones Stadium before falling agonisingly short in the resulting penalty shootout, with Sydney FC progressing through to the Grand Final.
The result means Milligan’s Premiership winning side fell at the penultimate hurdle in their bid to win an historic treble having already lifted both the Australia Cup and the Premiers Plate.
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However, despite his side’s heartbreaking finals exit Milligan says his side will learn from the defeat even if it stings right now.
“We fell short, and they need to remember this moment,” said Milligan when speaking in his post-match press conference.
HERE WE GO: Auckland FC and Sydney FC lock in blockbuster Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final
“Because if you want to be a team that is successful, then you need to make sure you learn from the biggest lesson, which was tonight.
He later added: “All these boys have their own story. All these boys have mainly seen probably hardship, to be totally honest.
“This year they found a way to bring all that together and create a culture that was a winning culture, a culture where I wanted to go to work every day, not just them.
“A culture where they fully supported each other and grew as a team, and, like I said, that’s down to them, and how they approached it.
“There were so many opportunities for them to put all of this in the too hard basket, or let someone else do it, or sit back and not apply themselves, but at no stage should I ever feel that with that with this group.
“And there were things that happened all season, as every team does. We deal with things that aren’t just football; the things people write, things people say.
MATCH REPORT: Sydney through to Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final on penalties
“There was external pressures all year, and they dug in, worked hard, and wanted to give the best account of themselves every single day.
“So for that I’m so extremely proud that I was able to be a part of this group, and that I was able to learn about me as a head coach as well, whilst involved with this team.”
Newcastle’s exit means the Jets have missed out on hosting the Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final, with that honour going to Auckland FC.
The Black Knights defeated Adelaide United 4-1 on aggregate and with Steve Corica’s side now the highest ranked team left in the competition, Go Media Stadium will be the venue for the Grand Final on Saturday 23rd May where they’ll face Sydney FC.
