Lift off: Jets’ Yuel scores first goal for South Sudan

South Sudan fell to defeat against Jordan but it was a memorable game for Newcastle Jets forward Valentino Yuel.

Yuel scored his first international goal as South Sudan went down 2-1 to Jordan in a friendly at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai on Monday (Tuesday AEDT).

The 27-year-old was first called up by South Sudan in June last year, as part of the 2021 FIFA Arab World Cup in Doha.

Yuel was absent for the Jets’ heart-breaking 2-1 Isuzu UTE A-League defeat at home to Adelaide United on Sunday – an unused substitute in South Sudan’s 3-0 loss to Uzbekistan on January 27.

He will miss a second game due to international duty as Arthur Papas’ Jets look to bounce back against Brisbane Roar on Thursday.

Yuel, who moved to Newcastle last season, has scored three goals in five A-League appearances in 2021-22.

The Jets are bottom of the table, though they have only played six games due to COVID-19 disruptions.