Not sure if Sydney were over-awed, out-classed or out-colded. Probably a combination of all factors.
I think they were a bit over-awed, although not sure that the Newcastle team deserved such respect and reverence.
However the fitness and speed gap between the teams was so great, that the skill gap didn't come into it.
Sydney did little in the first half, apart from gifting the first and third goals, then played to minimise the margin of defeat in the second.
Hope the Nix get into both teams this week, though it was definitely a 'friendly' game in terms of contact in the tackles and no chopping of players, once they'd gone past.
From a Newcastle fan's perspective it was as expected, as a Phoenix fan I know they'll approach the game in a much more competitive mind-set that Sydney in both games
Not sure if Sydney were over-awed, out-classed or out-colded. Probably a combination of all factors.
I think they were a bit over-awed, although not sure that the Newcastle team deserved such respect and reverence.
However the fitness and speed gap between the teams was so great, that the skill gap didn't come into it.
Sydney did little in the first half, apart from gifting the first goal, then played to minimise the margin of defeat in the second.
Hope the Nix get into both teams this week, though it was definitely a 'friendly' game in terms of contact in the tackles and no chopping of players, once they'd gone past.
From a Newcastle fan's perspective it was as expected, as a Phoenix fan I know they'll approach the game in a much more competitive mind-set that Sydney in both games