Man City in Tokyo

In their first match of a pre-season tour of Japan, Manchester City rallied from two goals down to beat J-League champions Yokohama F-Marinos 5-3 on Sunday.

In their first game since winning last month’s Champions League final, Pep Guardiola’s side also found the net through John Stones, Julian Alvarez and Rodri.

There were only four players in the starting XI against Marinos in Tokyo, and after 27 minutes City were a goal down.

Stefan Ortega saved Anderson Lopes’ initial shot, and Lopes converted crisply into the bottom corner.

After fellow full-back Katsuya Nagato crossed into his path from the left wing, right-back Ken Matsubara expertly guided home his first touch to make it 2-0 only 10 minutes later.

In the 40th minute, Stones scored after Alvarez had laid off, coolly slotting home from just inside the area.

Under pressure from Kalvin Phillips, Marinos goalkeeper Jun Ichimori conceded possession cheaply, and Alvarez pounced to level.

Guardiola made 10 outfield changes at halftime, including Haaland.

After receiving possession from fellow substitute Phil Foden in the 52nd minute, the Norwegian fired home from an acute angle.

A 20-minute later, Rodri added a fourth to seal the Champions League title in Istanbul.

With four minutes left, Kenta Inoue scored a consolation for Marinos, before Haaland netted his second in stoppage time.

On Wednesday, City will play Bayern Munich in Tokyo, then travel to Seoul to play Atletico Madrid.

Erling Haaland scored twice as Bayern Munich transfer target Kyle Walker captained Manchester City to a 5-3 comeback win over Yokohama F. Marinos in the first friendly of their Asia tour in Tokyo.

With Anderson Lopes and Ken Matsubara scoring for the home side, the treble winners were beaten 2-0 by the J1 League champions. F. Marinos are currently second in their table, just over halfway through the season.

Stones converted from just inside the box after Julian Alvarez shuttled on a cutback from Walker, and Alvarez added a quickfire second after F. Marinos failed to pass out.

At the break, Pep Guardiola changed all 10 outfield players and the tourists took control. Haaland scored on the turn to make it 3-2 before Rodri curled home the game-winner.

After Kenta Inoue pulled one back for F. Marinos late on, Haaland still had time to tap in another from Joao Cancelo’s cross to restore City’s two-goal lead.

It may have been Walker’s inclusion that was most significant given his links with Bayern Munich this summer, but Mateo Kovacic made his debut for City against their sister club, as part of a starting midfield that also included James McAtee and Kalvin Phillips.

In the J1 League, Anderson Lopes and Ken Matsubara put the home side ahead. F. Marinos are currently second in the table and just over halfway through the season.

Julian Alvarez shuttled on a cutback from skipper-on-the-day Walker, and Alvarez added a quickfire second, capitalizing on a poor pass out from F. Marinos.

The visitors took control after Pep Guardiola changed all ten outfield players at half-time. Within seven minutes of the restart Haaland had hit the net, shooting on the turn to make it 3-2, before Rodri rounded off the scoring.

Late on, Kenta Inoue pulled one back for F. Marinos, but Haaland tapped in another from Joao Cancelo’s cross to restore City’s two-goal lead.

City made their first appearance for Kovacic against their sister club, with James McAtee and Kalvin Phillips also starting, although Walker’s inclusion may be significant given his links to Bayern Munich.