AFC Champions League Elite
The 31-year-old was at the heart of a dominant display from the 2018 champions, scoring three times in the opening half as Kashima marked their return to the continental stage with a 7-1 win against their Australian opponents.
#ACLElite | Kashima Antlers (JPN) 7-1 Newcastle Jets FC (AUS)
“We bounced back and the way we played in the first half, it's the best this season,” said Cavric. “It's very important for the team mentally because this result will help us. We have so many games this season and we want to win all the games. In the end, it's a good effort.
“From the beginning of this season, I have felt quite good with the way the head coach (Toru Oniki) has utilised me and I was able to get the goals. This is very important for me as a striker as this was a problem in the past.”
Oniki was equally delighted with Kashima’s performance, after the Japanese side came into the continental encounter on the back of a difficult domestic run.
“The first game of the competition was very exciting but nervous at the same time,” said Oniki. “In the league we have lost a few games in a row but the players showed today their passion on the pitch and did their job.
“We analysed the opponents and we wanted to play our football and to make the decisions based on the game which we did well.”
Newcastle head coach Mark Milligan accepted responsibility for the defeat, citing the valuable lesson learned from the Japanese outfit.
“When I look at the game and result - the result is fully my responsibility. We learnt a very difficult but important lesson,” said Milligan. “At the end of the day, we played a very good side that was match hardened. I ill not make excuses for this and we will be better for it.
“We didn't start with the intensity and intent that we needed and from then, it was very difficult to come back against a team of this quality.”
Newcastle face another stern test on Matchday Two when they meet last season’s AFC Champions League Two™ winners Gamba Osaka, while Kashima will travel to Hanoi to face Cong An Ha Noi FC.
Related News
- AFC Champions League Elite
MD1: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 2-1 Al Gharafa SC (QAT)
- AFC Champions League Elite
MD1: Al Ain FC (UAE) 4-0 Al Nassr Club (KSA)
- AFC Champions League Elite
MD1: Beijing FC (CHN) 3-1 FC Pohang Steelers (KOR)
- AFC Champions League Elite
MD1: Kashima Antlers FC (JPN) 7-1 Newcastle Jets FC (AUS)
- AFC Champions League Elite
MD1: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) 1-1 Buriram United (THA)
Item 1 of 5