Good feeling’ – Newcastle United new signing after being unveiled in Tokyo
Lloyd Kelly admits it was a “good feeling” to make his Newcastle United debut in Tokyo.
The 25-year-old joined on a free transfer from AFC Bournemouth on July 1 but wasn’t involved in the Magpies’ opening three pre-season matches SpVgg Unterhaching, Hull City and Urawa Red Diamonds.
Kelly, according to head coach Eddie Howe, had been working on his fitness. He was deemed fit enough to play the first-half at the Japan National Stadium on Saturday as United lost 2-0 to Yokohama F. Marinos.
Reacting to his first appearance, Kelly posted on Instagram: “Appreciate the hospitality and support throughout! A good feeling to put on this shirt for the first time, still work to do ”.
The former England under-21s international lined up alongside Fabian Schar, who was making his first appearance of pre-season at centre-back
Kelly’s best moment was pinging a precise long ball over the top to set Alexander Isak away. He did, however, show a sign of rustiness after breaking down a Yokohama attacker as chased a high ball in behind.
A yellow card was shown but had it been in a Premier League game, then it would have likely been a different outcome.
“I thought he did well,” Howe told NewcastleWorld after the game. “Composed debut. I was pleased for him. I was pleased with certain aspects. Certain individuals did very well but team wise today I thought we were off where we have been.”
Fresh off the back of a stunning victory over Premier League side Newcastle United, Yokohama F Marinos play host to Consadole Sapporo in round 25 of the Japanese J1 League on Wednesday.
Having snapped their run of nine consecutive league games without a win last time out, the Consa will journey to the Nissan Stadium with renewed confidence as they make a late charge to salvage their season.
Elber and Jun Amano found the back of the net on either side of half time at the Nissan Stadium as Yokohama F Marinos picked up a stunning 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in a mid-season friendly on Saturday.
This was in keeping with their impressive run of results back home, where John Hutchinson’s men have won each of their last three domestic matches, scoring eight goals and conceding four across the three games.
Yokohama booked their spot in the round of 16 of the Emperor Cup on July 10, when they edged second-tier Mito Hollyhock on penalties, before claiming back-to-back league victories over Kashima Antlers and Machida Zelvia.
The Marinos’ most recent defeat came on July 6, when they were thrashed 4-0 by Gamba Osaka at the Suita City Stadium courtesy of goals from Juan Alano, Dawhan, Issam Jebali and experienced forward Takashi Usami.
Yokohama have picked up nine wins from their 24 J1 League matches while losing 10 and claiming five draws to collect 32 points and sit 11th in the table but could move into eighth-place with all three points on Wednesday.
Consadole Sapporo, on the other hand, were spared their blushes last time out as they held on to see out a narrow 4-3 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds after conceding three goals in the final quarter of an hour.
After goals from Daihachi Okamura, Yoshiaki Komai and a brace from Musashi Suzuki put them in the driver’s seat, the visitors had to see off a late comeback scare at the Saitama Stadium after Thiago Santana, Rio Nitta and Atsuki Ito scored in the final 15 minutes for Urawa Reds.
Prior to that, Consadole Sapporo breezed into the round of 16 of the Emperor Cup on July 10, when they picked up a dominant 6-2 victory over Montedio Yamagata at the ND Soft Stadium Yamagata, three days before playing out a 1-1 draw with Vissel Kobe.
Head coach Mihailo Petrovic will hope the victory over Urawa can serve as a catalyst for a turnaround in the league, where they had failed to win any of their previous nine games, picking up one draw and losing eight since mid May.
With a little under a third of the 2024 J1 League campaign left to go, Consadole Sapporo find themselves rooted to the bottom of the standings, having picked up just 15 points from their 24 matches so far.
While the Consa will be looking to secure back-to-back wins for the first time since May 2023 on Wednesday, they go up against an opposing side who are unbeaten in 14 of their last 20 encounters, claiming 10 wins and four draws since March 2008.
Consadole Sapporo also head into the midweek clash a five-game winless run at the Nissan Stadium, losing four and claiming one draw, and have managed just one victory in their last 12 visits since April 2012.
