DUTCH goalkeeper John Karelse was an interested observer at the MyCom Stadium on Wednesday as two of his former clubs went head to head in the UEFA Cup.

Karelse joined United when Ruud Gullit was in charge from NAC Breda, but he is now playing back in his homeland with Appledorn after struggling to make an impact in his time on Tynside.

Like everyone else in the ground Karelse knew it was going to take something extraordinary for Breda to turn the tie around following their 5-0 thumping in the first leg, but he still felt that the Dutch side were unlucky not to get something from the game over the 90 minutes on Wednesday.

"I thought Breda did well. They certainly deserved a draw, and they could even have won the game had they taken their chances," said Karelse.

"They had a couple of good shouts for a penalty, but we saw the difference in the teams because while Breda had four or five good chances to score, Newcastle probably only really had one and they took it.

"With the score at 5-0 from the first leg the game was over before it started, and at times it was a bit like watching a friendly match."

Karelse could have been forgiven for wondering what might have been after seeing Steve Harper given a chance in goal, but he has no bitter feelings towards the club he left he in the summer.

"I didn't get as many chances to play for Newcastle as I would have liked, but that's football. Steve Harper is a great goalkeeper, as is Shay, and I was behind them two during my time at Newcastle," he added.

"All I could do was give my best when I was at the club, and I did that. It was good to see the lads again, and I wish them well in the next round."