Yuta koike

League International Series: Goals either side of half-time from Élber and Jun Amano saw Newcastle United suffer a 2-0 defeat to Yokohama F. Marinos in their final J.League International Series 2024 outing in Japan on Saturday. After Wednesday's 4-1 win over Urawa Red Diamonds, Eddie Howe's side searched for a third straight win in their preparations for the 2024/25 Premier League campaign but were not up to the occasion.

There were moments of danger for United early on -- Yan Matheus thumped an effort from a tight angle into the side netting, Kenta Inoue clipped the crossbar with another strike and Kelly put in a timely block during another attack. Howe's side retained a threat in the final third, with Isak and Harvey Barnes both going close.

But just after the half-hour mark, they fell behind. It was a well-worked opener for the hosts, with Keigo Sakakibara released down the right before his pinpoint delivery was turned home first time by Élber in the middle; a neat finish to cap a fine move and give his side a lead they held until the break.