Newcastle Jets Youth will play FC Tokyo for 7th place at the 2017 Weifang Cup on Saturday morning after suffering a 3-0 defeat to the Chinese U19 National Team on Thursday afternoon.
A day after the Jets produced their best performance of the competition to hold Belgian heavyweights Club Brugge to a 2-2 draw in their final Group B match, the Club’s under 18 selection struggled against some of China’s best youth players.
China took the lead in just the second minute of play when Tianyu Gao headed home a precise cross into the box.
Joseph O’Connor skewed an effort wide for the Jets on 15 minutes, while goalkeeper Tristan Esquilant produced a sharp reflex save to deny the locals from doubling their advantage three minutes later.
In the 26th minute China went two goals ahead. Following a fierce break through the centre of the park, Hengbo Fan collected the ball in the area and then sent a crisp strike into the back of the net.
The Jets started the second stanza on the front foot. Finn Parris sent a strike wide of the woodwork five minutes into the second half as the Jets sought about reducing the arrears.
However hopes of a comeback were dashed midway through the second period when Jiahui Huang sent a booming free kick into the top corner from range.
While the Jets held large portions of possession as the clock wound down, the team struggled to break down China’s five-man backline who were eager to secure their first win of the tournament.
China U19 National Team 3 (Gao 2’, Fan 26’, Huang 67’)
Newcastle Jets 0
Venue: Luneng Academy Pitch (A3)
Referee: Yige Dai
