The Newcastle Jets were given a reality check by a clinical Sydney FC, going down 5-0 in a pre-season friendly at Macquarie University on Tuesday.
In their first hit out against A-League opposition, a new-look Jets outfit paid the price for their mistakes against an experienced Sky Blues.
Played behind closed doors over three 45-minute periods, the Jets trailed 2-0 at the first break after goals to Elvis Kamsoba and Max Burgess.
Marquee men Adam Le Fondre and Kosta Barbarouses netted in the second term to double Sydney's advantage before Trent Buhagiar completed the rout.
Senior defender Jordan Elsey and Spanish midfielder Mario Arques didn't feature for the Jets.
After a disappointing 2020-21 campaign in which the Jets just avoided the wooden spoon, new coach Arthur Papas overhauled the roster and welcomed 15 fresh faces
They have been training since July, but due to COVID restrictions had been unable to test themselves against opposition teams.
After an easing of the public health order last week, they played two modified trials against Northern NSW club Broadmeadow Magic, which they won comfortably.
However, it was a giant step up against heavyweights Sydney, who were coming off a 5-0 win over Macarthur.
The Jets have games against APIA Leichhardt and Macarthur before the FFA Cup qualifier against Western United in Melbourne on November 13.
They kick off their A-League campaign against the Central Coast at McDonald Jones Stadium on November 21.
The Mariners beat Macarthur 3-1 in a friendly on Tuesday.
- Full wrap up to follow.
