In just six minutes, Erling Haaland demonstrated why he is so well-known in Japan.
The goal machine was introduced as a halftime substitute by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola after his team rallied from two goals down against the Japanese champions to go into the break level. This provided the 61,618 spectators at Tokyo’s National Stadium with what they had come to see.
And after Phil Foden’s stunning pass, the 52-goal sensation from last season just needed three touches to score. In stoppage time, Haaland added another goal by walking in Joao Cancelo’s exquisite low cross from the far post. The customers returned satisfied, for sure.
On their three-game, sold-out preseason tour of East Asia, the treble winners are unmistakably gaining fans’ hearts and minds. Including Mateo Kovacic, a £30 million newcomer, Kalvin Phillips, academy grads Cole Palmer and James McAtee, and only four of the players he selected for the Champions League final last month, Pep Guardiola started the game.
In the opening 37 minutes, Brazilian striker Anderson Lopes and Japanese forward Ken Matsubara each scored two expertly created goals to give Yokohama, who last week humiliated the Scottish champions 6-4, a 2-0 lead.
2014 saw Marinos join the City Football Group as a sister organization. Kevin Muscat, a former hardman for Millwall, Wolves, and Crystal Palace, is the club’s manager. However, their strong start forced its older sibling to react quickly, as John Stones and Julian Alvarez leveled the game for the Blues with two goals in the final three minutes of the half.
Guardiola then made 10 substitutions, with Stefan Ortega, the no. 2 keeper, being the only player to play the entire 90 minutes, as a sign that he wanted to display the J League World Challenge trophy among the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup.
When it became evident that the Norwegian was dressed for action, the commotion that had been building within the stadium when Haaland’s flowing blonde locks emerged at the end of the tunnel, turned into the loudest cheer of the evening.
In addition, Joao Cancelo, a rebel full-back, Foden, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, and Ruben Dias were presented. Haaland, however, didn’t flinch when Foden gave him his first glimpse of Jun Ichimori’s goal, and he found the bottom corner with the kind of accuracy he now takes for granted. Haaland had already shaken off his cobwebs with a few early touches.
The midfielder Rodri, whose goal in Istanbul six weeks ago won the Champions League, then displayed his sharpening eye for goal with a well-placed finish from 30 yards to enhance City’s lead in the 72nd minute.
When City custodian Ortega and Rico Lewis made a mistake, Yokohama seized on it to cut the lead to one goal four minutes from time. However, it seemed predetermined that Haaland would have the last word.
After playing Bayern Munich in the same stadium, City will travel to South Korea to take on Atletico Madrid. Guardiola acknowledged before the game that his team needs work, especially with the Community Shield match against Arsenal coming up in less than three weeks.
Kyle Walker’s appointment as his captain for the evening may have been a sign of his desire to keep the England full-back out of Bayern’s reach.