Yokohama 2-0 Newcastle: Toon beaten but exciting teenager shines in Tokyo

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 35° conditions.

The defeat will concern 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 17-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. The popular new adidas third kit was also worn for the first time.

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, Ruddy, Lewis, Krafth, J. Murphy, Ashby, Burn, J. Miley, Turner-Cooke, Heffernan, Sanusi, Harrison, Parkinson.

Our first big chance came just before the 10-minute mark, as Alexander Isak cut the ball back superbly for Sean Longstaff. The Geordie midfielder could've hit it first time, but took a lovely touch to sit down his man before his eventual effort was blocked.

Isak was causing havoc with his movement in behind and Joelinton - who started on the left of a midfield three - was also making some dangerous runs forward, as he did to good effect in our 2-0 win over Hull last weekend.

At the other end, Eijiro Takeda clipped the top of the cross bar after a rare attack came down their left, but it was Newcastle who posed a consistent threat, with Isak the next to go close after almost rounding Yokohama goalkeeper before falling awkwardly on his shoulder. He managed to continue, but did need treatment from the our medical staff.

Miguel Almiron was the next to threaten on his first start of pre-season, although the Paraguayan didn't get enough on his left-footed effort after drifting in from the right before Livramento's vital header and Kelly's crucial blocked denied the hosts at the other end.

Harvey Barnes made a good run in behind and was picked out superbly by Bruno Guimaraes. The winger's first touch was good, but he couldn't get the ball onto his favoured right foot and a miscued a left-footed effort wide following pressure from the recovering Yokohama defender. Another chance squandered, which was unlike our pre-season so far after a number of impressive finishes against Urawa in midweek.

In the end, it was Yokohama who found the breakthrough just after the half-hour mark. Joelinton was caught napping as Sakakibara was given acres of space to break down their right before his cut-back found an unmarked Elber in the box. The cross left our recovering back four stuck in the mud and the Brazilian beat Vlachodimos with a smart first-time finish. 

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He looked assured on the ball and made one vital block as mentioned previously, but Lloyd Kelly did get caught out with one ball in behind, seeing him take out his man and pick up a yellow card that could've been more had this not been a pre-season friendly.

Conditions were sweltering once again and Howe made seven changes at the break, with Nick Pope, Dan Burn, Emil Krafth, Harrison Ashby, Jacob Murphy, Trevan Sanusi and Ben Parkinson replace Vlachodimos, Schar, Kelly, Livramento, Guimaraes, Barnes and Isak.

Seconds after the restart, Krafth almost gifted them hosts a 2-0 lead as the Swede lost control of a simple pass and allowed the Yokohama forward to burst in behind. In the end, Pope did well to come out quickly and narrow the angle, with Burn also on hand to head clear the resultant cross. Another chance soon followed for Yokohama after more reckless defending from Krafth, who left Burn exposed after rushing to win a header he was never getting to.

Wholesale changes at the break never help - we had a mishmash of young and old and plenty playing out of position - but we came out of the traps very slowly and soon went 2-0 down. Jacob Murphy tried to let the ball run out for a goal kick, was robbed of possession, Krafth was too busy calling for the whistle and Koike's simple cut-back was finished by Amano to double Yokohama's lead.

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The messy second half display continued up to the hour mark, although we did see Longstaff flash over (again) and some lovely pieces of trickery from talented winger Trevan Sanusi, who drew fouls, burst past his man with ease and almost set up Almiron before the goal-bound South American was flagged offside. The England U17 international is a huge talent and was our biggest threat in the final 45, showing his impressive burst of pace, quick feet and ability to beat a man with patches of brilliance.

Two more changes followed from Howe, who brought on Alfie Harrison and Jamal Lewis for Joelinton and Hall with 25 minutes remaining, giving the highly-rated former Man City midfielder and forgotten left-back another chance to impress.

In true pre-season style, the game petered out as we fell to a 2-0 defeat in front of a reported 50,000 crowd in Tokyo. Not the result we wanted, but a good run out from a fitness perspective, no injuries and a reminder that we need a few quality additions, with the likes of Longstaff and Almiron displaying their limited quality in the final third.

Speaking after the game, Howe admitted he was "disappointed" with the defeat and saw several "things to work on", adding that the hot and humid conditions have made it "difficult" for the players.

Next up for the Toon, a long flight back to Tyneside, a week of training and two games next weekend, with Girona and Stade Brest to come in the Sela Weekender of Friday 9th and Saturday 10th August.

• 22nd July – SpVgg Unterhaching 1-3 Newcastle (⚽ Barnes ⚽ Murphy ⚽ Isak)
• 27th July – Hull City 0-2 Newcastle (⚽ Isak, ⚽ Murphy)
• 31st July –  Urawa Red Diamonds 1-4 Newcastle (⚽ Isak, ⚽⚽ Murphy, ⚽ Hall)
• 3rd August – Yokohama F. Marinos 2-0 Newcastle
• 9th August – Newcastle vs Girona (7.30pm )
• 10th August – Newcastle Women vs AC Milan Women (1pm)
• 10th August – Newcastle vs Stade Brest (4pm)