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On Sunday, Manchester City kicked off their Asia tour with a friendly match against Yokohama in Tokyo’s new National Stadium. Over 60,000 spectators were expected to attend the match. City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his admiration for Yokohama’s playing style, describing them as dynamic and aggressive. He anticipated a difficult game against the Japanese team, who are currently second in the J1 League and recently defeated Celtic 6-4 in a friendly match.
During the first 10 minutes of the game, City dominated possession while Yokohama struggled to maintain control of the ball. City’s Jack Grealish had a shot blocked, and Cole Palmer attempted a lofted ball to Julian Alvarez, but goalkeeper Jun Ichimori was quick to collect the ball. Yokohama played a high defensive line, while City tried to exploit it with through balls to Mateo Kovacic.
As the game progressed, both teams had opportunities to create chances. City lost the ball in midfield, but Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker managed to deal with the danger. Yokohama attempted shots from distance, but the first attempt of the game was slightly off target.
The match ended in a 0-0 draw, with both teams displaying their skills and determination. Despite not scoring, City’s new signing Kovacic made his debut and received praise from former City players for his performance. Guardiola had previously mentioned that Yokohama would be physically ahead of his team, as they are in the middle of their J1 League season, but he welcomed the challenge as a way to prepare for the upcoming Premier League campaign.
The National Stadium provided a magnificent backdrop for the game, with its impressive architecture and state-of-the-art facilities. The stadium, which cost $1.4 billion to build, hosted its first game in December 2016 and can hold over 60,000 spectators. It was a fitting venue for City‘s opening friendly match of their Asia tour.
Overall, the match between Manchester City and Yokohama was closely contested, with both teams showcasing their skills and determination. The result may have been a draw, but it provided valuable preparation for City as they gear up for the new Premier League season.
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