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The Newcastle Jets celebrate their victory over Cooks Hill on Wednesday night. Photo: Newcastle Jets via Mark Evans\/Getty Images)<\/p>\nThe chance to win some silverware, and book a berth in an overseas tournament, is driving the Newcastle Jets in the 2025 Australia Cup.<\/p>\n
While it might still be \u201cofficially\u201d pre-season for A-League Men\u2019s (ALM) clubs, Mark Milligan\u2019s troops are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for glory\u2026 home and abroad.<\/p>\n
After impressive victories over Adelaide United (2-1) and neighbouring Northern NSW Football outfit Cooks Hill United (5-0), the side qualified for the competition\u2019s quarter-finals for just the second time in the club\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
Now, Newcastle will tackle the defending champions, Macarthur Bulls, at the Maitland Regional Sportsground, from 4pm, on Sunday 24 August.<\/p>\n
A place in the last four awaits the victor.<\/p>\n
The Newcastle Jets celebrate their victory over Cooks Hill on Wednesday night. Photo: Newcastle Jets via Mark Evans\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not looking too far ahead but, I agree, it\u2019s a good opportunity for us as an organisation and for the players as individuals,\u201d Milligan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a nice reward if we do well, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe winner of the Australia Cup will gain direct entry into the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Two in 2026\/27.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, it\u2019s not going to be easy\u2026 and it\u2019s a big challenge for the boys.<\/p>\n
\u201cTraditionally, Macarthur has been extremely strong in this format.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis weekend will be no different either.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, we want to play the best, vie for titles, with the potential to go to Asia.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, there should be plenty of motivation for everyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne thing I will say about the Bulls, they\u2019re obviously quite settled in terms of coaching staff; Mile Sterjovski\u2019s been there a while.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven the new guys they bring in, they are always quality.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey boast stability, so we\u2019re facing a stern test, from that sense.\u201d<\/p>\n
With more than 4,000 fans recently witnessing the Jets\u2019 triumph over Cooks Hill at No. 2 Sportsground, Milligan is hopeful of attracting another big crowd in Maitland.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbsolutely,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the Cooks Hill fixture showed the popularity of football, and the Australian Cup, is high in Newcastle.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe [weather] conditions that night weren\u2019t great either and the pitch was barely playable.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, people still turned up.<\/p>\n
\u201cSunday afternoon looks very good for football, so supporters of the game and the Jets should be excited.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know the players are.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor my boys to go about their business in the way they did [against Cooks Hill] was the most notable thing for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would have been very easy for them to put it all in the \u2018too hard\u2019 basket, like drop off, go long, veer from our principles and go away from the team we want to become.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, that experience the other evening was invaluable for this group.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I said, Asia is on the line in this tournament.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we want to be a side that plays over there, in their conditions, we need to be ready to adapt to anything.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, to see their determination and the intent to keep playing our style of football was very impressive.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to create a strong base as things continue to grow.<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, we\u2019ve got a long way to go, however there\u2019s encouraging signs.<\/p>\n
\u201cUltimately, we [coaches] set a platform for them \u2013 it\u2019s their brand of football.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, for it to flourish, the players must take responsibility. \u201cAnd, they\u2019ve bought into what we\u2019re doing\u2026 the attitude overall has been fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n
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