Newcastle United ended their pre-season tour of Japan with a 2-0 defeat to Yokohama F. Marinos at the National Stadium in Tokyo.
We had plenty of chances in the opening exchanges, where Isak, Longstaff, Almiron and Barnes all failed to find the finish, but the J-League side – who are half way through their current season – scored either side of the break as Eddie Howe made wholesale changes at half time in humid 30° conditions.
The defeat will alarm some and serves as a subtle reminder that first-team additions are very much needed, but just like we didn’t get carried away by that 3-1 win in Germany, a 2-0 win over Hull of 4-1 win over Urawa in midweek, we won’t panic at today’s score line, with pre-season about fitness and minutes for all members of the squad above all else.
On a genuinely positive note, teenage winger Trevan Sanusi was one of the big positives from the game, with the 16-year-old a real threat in the second half as he displayed his exciting mix of pace, trickery and ability to beat a man. The left-winger looked a massive talent and will be one to watch heading into the 2024/25 season, highlighting the benefits of our newfound Academy investment.
Eddie Howe fielded another strong side, where new signings Lloyd Kelly and Odysseas Vlachodimos joined Fabian Schar, Bruno Guimaraes (captain) and Miguel Almiron in starting their first games of pre-season two weeks before the big kick-off against Southampton at St James’ Park.
Joe Willock missed out – he is not injured, the club are simply managing his workload – while Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier remain on extended breaks after Euro 2024. Sandro Tonali was ineligible once again with Wilson (back), L. Miley (foot), Botman (ACL), Lascelles (ACL), Targett (Achilles), Dubravka, Gillespie, A. Murphy (hip), White (back) and Kuol (knee) also absent.
NUFC XI: Vlachodimos – Livramento, Schar, Kelly, Hall – Longstaff, Bruno (c), Joelinton – Almiron, Isak, Barnes.
SUBS: Pope,…
Source link : https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2024/08/03/yokohama-2-0-newcastle-toon-beaten-but-teenager-shines-in-tokyo/
Author : Olly Hawkins
Publish date : 2024-08-03 11:49:56
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.