Yokohama F Marinos 2 Newcastle 0 – Results not important in pre-season, all about minutes…

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·03 de agosto de 2024

Yokohama F Marinos 2 Newcastle 0 – Results not important in pre-season, all about minutes…

Yokohama F Marinos 2 Newcastle 0 – Saturday 3 August 2024 (7pm kick-off local time – 11am in the UK)

A 4-1 win on Wednesday, a 2-0 defeat on Saturday.

Vídeos OneFootball

Yet actually, I don’t think there was a massive difference in the performances.

The finishing from Newcastle United was certainly better by far in that 4-1 win over Urawa Red Diamonds, but when it came to the overall levels of performance, I don’t think so different.

This is where it is so good to have an intelligent manager with integrity, such as Eddie Howe, after that 4-1 win he said he was pleased with some aspects of the match and especially the quality moments/finishing shown in attack, but that defensively in particular, there was a lot to work on.

This second and final game simply saw United not making the most of their attacking situations, whilst comprehensively punished for two defensive lapses, these coming in a 17 minute period either side of half-time.

On 33 minutes the ball was played up to the feet of a Yokohama striker just inside his own half, he played an excellent first-time ball out down Newcastle’s left to one of his teammates who was left in the clear. It was difficult to tell whether Hall or Joelinton at fault, Hall had been sucked into the middle and then Joelinton looked to be left sleeping as probably his man was released down that left. End result was that man out wide in acres of space and an excellent low cross was met by a shot that gave Vlachodimos no chance.

There was no doubt who was at fault on the second goal, which came on 50 minutes. Jacob Murphy has been in excellent form going forward in pre-season matches, including scoring four goals, however, he was caught out on the most simple of mistakes. Trying to protect a ball rolling slowly out of play for a goal-kick, Murphy instead was robbed in the box, another easy cutback and this time Pope left with no chance as the striker finished with a low shot.

The Japanese side had other chances and the odd decent opportunity but actually Newcastle did ok otherwise.

Indeed, before the hosts opened the scoring, Newcastle United had some great chances and situations of their own when they could and should have done better.

On nine minutes, nice to see Lloyd Kelly hit a stunning long pass that released Isak behind the defence, his first touch took him out slightly to the right but a great cutback found Longstaff running into the box. He did really well to sidestep a challenge and then was denied by a combination of keeper and defender throwing themselves to block his shot. I think more a case of great defending than the Geordie midfielder failing with his effort.

Four minutes later a trademark Bruno ball over the top again sent Isak away, an excellent first touch past a defender and he looked to be in, only for the keeper to come out well and just get there in time to block Isak’s effort. In the process the Newcastle striker landed awkwardly on his shoulder and massive relief when after treatment he carried on.

Five minutes before the break, a clever ball from Bruno played Barnes into the penalty area but a defender just about did enough to put him off and his weak effort was easily saved.

Whilst the timing of the match at night did help to an extent, it was still more than 30 degrees celsius and near 70 percent humidity.

It was always going to be a match of multiple substitutions and seven made by Eddie Howe at the break.

Not a lot to talk about after the break as the multiple changes certainly didn’t help United and apart from the home side’s second goal, not loads of goalmouth action.

Longstaff saw an effort deflected over the bar on the hour mark but generally United not able to threaten, although under 21 player Sanusi showed some nice touches.

Murphy curled an effort wide with his left foot with around a quarter of an hour remaining.

Then late on it should have been 3-0, which would have been cruel on Newcastle, as this was in reality a pretty level match, a one goal defeat at worst.

The home side got in down the right and a cross was blasted from inside the box to the right, it met the head of Ryo Miyaichi only inches from the line but the sheer power of it saw the Yokohama player deflect the ball up in the air rather than over the line.

As is usually the case, when you win a friendly there is a tendency to want to make more of the result than you should, unlike Eddie Howe. Whilst when it is defeat, you tend to talk of meaningless results and all about getting minutes into the legs.

Not making excuses but I think for sure if this had been a competitive match, Eddie Howe would have approached this differently. Some players are playing catch up with fitness and needing minutes on the pitch, regardless of any result in a friendly.

If anybody did deserve to win the game then it was probably the home side and it was a class move for the opening goal, whatever the Newcastle defensive lapse(s).

Anyway, overall it looks a very productive visit to Japan, both on and off the pitch. Job done.

Final scoreline:

Yokohama F Marinos 2 Newcastle 0

Newcastle team v Yokohama F Marinos:

Team: Vlachodimos (Pope 46), Hall (Lewis 64), Livramento (Ashby 46), Schar (Krafth 46), Kelly (Burn 46), Longstaff, Joelinton (Alfie Harrison 64), Guimaraes (Sanusi 46 (Turner-Cooke 88)), Barnes (Jacob Murphy 46), Almiron, Isak (Parkinson 46)

Unused subs:

Ruddy, Jamie Miley, Heffernan

Newcastle United schedule to end of September 2024:

Saturday 20 July 2024 – Newcastle 3 SpVgg Unterhaching 1

Saturday 27 July 2024 – Hull 0 Newcastle 2

Wednesday 31 July 2024 – Urawa Red Diamonds 1 Newcastle 4

Saturday 3 August 2024 – Yokohama F Marinos 2 Newcastle 0

Friday 9 August 2024 – Newcastle United v Girona FC friendly 7.30pm kick-off (SJP Sela weekend)

Saturday 10 August 2024 – Newcastle United v Stade Brestois 4pm kick-off (SJP Sela weekend)

Wednesday 14 August 2024 – The Carabao Cup second round draw will be made around 10pm.

Saturday 17 August 2024 – Newcastle v Southampton (3pm)

Sunday 25 August 2024 – Bournemouth v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports