Newcastle have announced they will travel in pre-season to Japan.
With the squad due to play a couple of games in Melbourne, Australia immediately this Premier League season ends – that’s a lot of air travel for the lads.
The Magpies are coming to Japan! ???
We will travel to the Land of the Rising Sun in preparation for the 2024/25 Premier League season after being invited to take part in the @J_League_En International Series 2024 with games against Urawa Red Diamonds and Yokohama F. Marinos ?
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) May 14, 2024
This is more detail posted on the Newcastle website about the tour:
Newcastle United will travel to Japan in preparation for the 2024/25 Premier League season after being invited to take part in the ‘J.League International Series 2024 powered by docomo’.
As part of the 2024 event, the Magpies will arrive in Tokyo on Sunday, 28th July before taking on 2022 AFC Champions League winners Urawa Red Diamonds at the 63,700-capacity Saitama Stadium on Wednesday, 31st July. Kick-off is at 7:30pm (all local times).
Eddie Howe’s side will then face last season’s J.League runners-up Yokohama F. Marinos – managed by former Leeds and Liverpool midfielder Harry Kewell – at the impressive Japan National Stadium on Saturday, 3rd August. Kick-off is at 7pm.
Ticket information and further details – including plans for supporter events in Tokyo – will be confirmed in due course.
Eddie Howe said:
“We are pleased to be visiting Japan this summer. It’s an amazing country and it will be a unique experience for our players, staff and supporters.”
“We will be taking on two strong teams at two special stadiums, and I’m sure they will present the type of physical tests we need at that time as we build towards next season.”
The J.League has attracted several heavyweights of European football in recent years, with Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and Sevilla all previously travelling to the Land of the Rising Sun to participate.Last year, clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan and Celtic also participated in their own friendly matches in Japan in preparation for their respective 2023/24 campaigns, while UEFA Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund have confirmed they will return to play in Osaka this summer as part of an Asian tour.
Newcastle United’s chief commercial officer, Peter Silverstone, said:
“We thank J.League and docomo for inviting the club to be part of what has become a hugely popular series in the Japanese football calendar.”
“Newcastle United has fan communities in Japan and across Asia, and this is an exciting opportunity for the club play in front of local and travelling supporters on an iconic stage as we continue to grow our presence globally.”
“Meanwhile, we want to connect and engage with partners both in the UK and in other key territories. As we step out in our new adidas kits, for example, we will be wearing a brand that has a long-established and special connection with Japanese sport and culture, and that presents unique mutual opportunities.”
“For any pre-season tour, our aim is to support the needs of our teams during this crucial period and the players will train and play at elite facilities in Japan.”
“We are continuing to work collaboratively on our overall pre-season schedule and hope to announce additional matches in the UK and Europe soon.”
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171 comments so far
lochinvar
May 15, 2024 at 10:25 AM
Comment #121Will Yankuba Minteh and maybe a few other youngsters go on the Tour of Japan ?
Would be good for their experience and bonding with the squad.
Transfer Sage
May 15, 2024 at 10:25 AM
Comment #122I think we’ll go for our usual 433. Isak, Gordon and Murphy up front, Joelinton back in midfield. We will hassle them, bully them and that gaping hole they have in midfield we’ll run riot it and turn their defence.
My prediction is this will be like our game against Tottenham, and I don’t mean the one a few weeks ago, I mean the one last season. I see us being 5 up by half time.
A Geordie Mongrel
May 15, 2024 at 10:40 AM
Comment #123Don’t forget your Eddie’s Bingo, https://www.nufcblog.com/2023/06/22/full-agreement-reached-for-sandro-tonali-transfer-to-newcastle-medical-tomorrow/comment-page-24/#comment-3013728
Fat Basta*d
May 15, 2024 at 10:43 AM
Comment #124Super fan Gail having doubts YCMIU
Adamn_92
May 15, 2024 at 10:45 AM
Comment #125If Isak and WIlson are out, I kind of want to see us go for a front 3 that will be incredibly fluid, has good pace, runs in behind and clever movement. To cause Man U’s questionable makeshift defence all kinds of issues.
So i’d go for Murphy, Gordon, Miggy.
Miggy still has one of, if not the best, movement off the ball in the team. His runs are fantastic but often don’t get seen or ignored. Even against Brighton his run was amazing but Barnes delayed too long which meant he was marginally off. Not even a second earlier and his movement and pace created us getting the win.
Murphy, fantastic pace, great crosser of the ball so can get behind wide and swing an early cross in for Gordon running onto it.
Gordon, what needs to be said? Pace, movement, skill, link up play….will be a headache for them.
Plus all 3 work really hard so will track runners out wide and press high.
Unleash those 3 up top and I think the Man U defence won’t know what to do or how to cope with them.
Transfer Sage
May 15, 2024 at 10:48 AM
Comment #126Adam
Miggy has decent movement but what lets him down is usually the delay where he thinks what to do or the quality of that final pass/shot. But agree, he makes very clever runs.
Although I’ve got to say a (not so) fluid front three of me, you and FB would likely cause this Man Utd defense trouble.
Davas
May 15, 2024 at 10:58 AM
Comment #127Hope isak has fully recovered for tonight. I think, with a fully fit isak (or wilson) on Saturday , we’d have won that game
snowdone
May 15, 2024 at 10:58 AM
Comment #128Great to see so much optimism on here, but I share Raj’s doubts. Old Trafford has been a graveyard since I started following the lads in the early sixties.
Oh, for a performance like the one at Villa Park or earlier at Old Trafford itself. Hopefully, Isak has recovered. Ten Hag can’t put Casemiro back in defence can he?
We must be resilient at the back, first to the ball in midfield and pick the pass in attack!
I’m starting to come round. Right off to Eddie’s bingo!
Adamn_92
May 15, 2024 at 11:01 AM
Comment #129Sage
That’s true, although his first time pass to Gordon for the offside goal at the weekend shows that when he’s through with a bit of time, he can make that quick decision. Think his movement and pace could get him in those situations tonight. Whichever side has him or Murphy on, will track Dalot well too who likes to bomb forward.
But yeah you’re right, I think getting Ameobi out of retirement and sticking him up top would cause their defence problems at this stage.
Transfer Sage
May 15, 2024 at 11:02 AM
Comment #130I know this doesn’t always mean a lot but we are favourites to win tonight with the bookies. That’s unheard of in my life time.
Adamn_92
May 15, 2024 at 11:04 AM
Comment #131Burn gave an interview recently where he basically said as a Newcastle lad, he hates Man U and see’s it as a big rivalry.
I’m sure he, Longstaff, Anderson, Dummett etc etc will be firing up the lads and making this seem like a derby match.
We should be well up for it tonight.
Lets not forget it was Man U who Eddie also gave that pre game speech about in the Amazon doc. Think Eddie and the players will be fired up again tonight.
Zele
May 15, 2024 at 11:07 AM
Comment #132Tonight’s game will be difficult, contrary to what many of our fans think.
This is Manchester’s last home game. They will want to impress and make amends for their very poor showing against Arsenal where the players, coaches and management were humiliated by almost everyone including sections of their own fans.
To play in Europe is more important to them than to us. Missing out on Europe is a sign (like the leaky roof in a ramshackle stadium in need of some serious TLC) of how far they have fallen in recent years.
If we score first we will win or draw as their heads and legs will drop. If they score first they will be emboldened and confident.
Raj of Hailsley
May 15, 2024 at 11:14 AM
Comment #133Snowdone/Zele,
Exactly, it’s a mixture of doubt and the over confidence some of our fans get and even all the pundits saying we’ll have too much for them. It’s away from home and only five clubs have a worse away record than us this season, it’s been an issue all season with or without our availability problems. It’s also up there with Arsenal, Anfield and Man City as one of our least successful grounds, it’s simply not going to be like rolling over SHU or Burnley, more like Villa and hopefully not Chelsea.
Mickey G
May 15, 2024 at 11:14 AM
Comment #134What’s the betting AG draws a penalty or even better casamiro or Evans get Sen off?
Essex Geordie Bill
May 15, 2024 at 11:17 AM
Comment #135Mickey,
I’d bet that there is good odds on that happening. 🙂
cyprus
May 15, 2024 at 11:19 AM
Comment #136On Miggy,
Even against Brighton his run was “amazing but Barnes delayed too long which meant he was marginally off. Not even a second earlier and his movement and pace created us getting the win.”
Glad you said this because someone on the blog said he went too early. No, he waited and waited and Barnes took his time to see and make the pass. Not blaming him either,bit happens, but if you find highlights listen to the commentators, they say it.
I’ll admit that I’m expecting Barnes to shift up a gear next season. He’s done his bit in matches but not consistently. Look how Gordon influences games, I hope he steps up too.
This goes for Miggy too, now that he’s back. Joel too is ring rusty, but expected.
Anyway, to compete everyone must be on their game. Should we manage to get an early foothold on the game, the fans will turn and their fragile confidence will be shaken. Otherwise, the crowd may stay behind them like they did versus Arsenal, whom they dominated after the goal.
Mickey G
May 15, 2024 at 11:21 AM
Comment #137Also EGB Isak back to his best. Scoring a brace , with one being a penalty of course
Adamn_92
May 15, 2024 at 11:28 AM
Comment #138Cyprus
Aye, the run was perfect initially and then had to delay, try to stay on etc as the pass didn’t come when it should have. That’s not a dig at Barnes as i’m not sure how often he and Miggy have played together, so the understanding probably isn’t there yet. As opposed to say Bruno and Miggy, where Bruno seems to know exactly where and when Miggy is going to go.
Agree though, I like Barnes, but next season he needs to show better consistency in matches as he clearly has the ability.
Anyone think Pope may have a slight outside chance tonight? Personally be surprised if he features again this season, but may see this game as vital and want our strongest keeper in?
Essex Geordie Bill
May 15, 2024 at 11:32 AM
Comment #139Mickey
love to see Isak get a hat trick, he’s due one! 🙂
Essex Geordie Bill
May 15, 2024 at 11:34 AM
Comment #140I’m still waiting to see the Barnes a lot of people thought we were getting!
Raj of Hailsley
May 15, 2024 at 11:37 AM
Comment #141Adamn_92,
I’m not sure how Pope can expect to go to the Euro’s if he doesn’t feature at least once.
Raj of Hailsley
May 15, 2024 at 11:38 AM
Comment #142EGB,
And you wouldn’t be biased at all because he replaced your pet Maxi would you 😀
Essex Geordie Bill
May 15, 2024 at 11:42 AM
Comment #143Jail
Bloody ell mate will you ever let that drop? 🙄
Raj of Hailsley
May 15, 2024 at 11:45 AM
Comment #144HB has proven he is a very good PL, his stats and performances don’t lie. I liken his situation to the Martinelli/Trossard situation. Pure matter of opinion which was the better but Trossard has been a sub largely since arriving at Arsenal, that doesn’t mean he was a bad signing, on the contrary he is very much a part in why they are going into the last game with a slight chance at the title. Very unfair for anyone to prematurely judged HB when he has been out most of the season and has returned when pretty much everyone bar a couple are showing inconsistency.
Raj of Hailsley
May 15, 2024 at 11:47 AM
Comment #145EGB,
Well it’s a massive factor in your view of HB so I guess not.
Rotonda heights
May 15, 2024 at 11:48 AM
Comment #146Just wish Chelsea hadn’t come out of nowhere. Worst case scenario Chelsea beat Brighton and Manu turn up like they did in the cup v Liverpool. Freely admit not sure I’ve got the nerve to watch tonight. Might just keep refreshing the scores in both games to see if it’s safe to come out for the 2nd half!!
My good lady keeps saying why do you support NUFC they’ll only let you down (again!). Tbf she did say they were doing much better since the T/O. However, this season has had more cruel and sickening last minute gut punches than I can ever recall.
cyprus
May 15, 2024 at 11:50 AM
Comment #147Can’t disagree with that point and he has won us a game which was lost.
On Pope you know my opinion of him but I wouldn’t play him. Needs as much time as we can afford and Dubravka is a good shot stopper. Only concern that he’ll need to come out when Antony or the other guy make THAT run behind our CBs.
Rotonda heights
May 15, 2024 at 11:50 AM
Comment #148EGB
I guess you missed the West ham home game !!!
cyprus
May 15, 2024 at 11:51 AM
Comment #149They’ll know he prefers to stay on his line.
Raj of Hailsley
May 15, 2024 at 11:51 AM
Comment #150Rh
Or the Luton game.
Raj of Hailsley
May 15, 2024 at 11:52 AM
Comment #151I guess that a lot of people who were quick to write off AG have forgotten all about that as well.
cyprus
May 15, 2024 at 11:53 AM
Comment #152I’ll be watching our game, in any case beIN will be showing the Brighton goals as they go in 😉
Rotonda heights
May 15, 2024 at 11:54 AM
Comment #153Zele
”To play in Europe is more important to them than to us”
Que??
You do know who our new owners are !!!
cyprus
May 15, 2024 at 11:55 AM
Comment #154Me, I didn’t write off Gordon. I’d seen him stand out with Everton, thought that’s the kind of able and feisty player we need.
Mind, the feistiness is gone a bit, all that meditation is working 🙂
Adamn_92
May 15, 2024 at 11:56 AM
Comment #155That’s my thinking with Pope, let him have a longer time to recover. Dubs isn’t doing awful, so risking Pope for the sake of 2 games and potentialyl injuring him for months again, doesn’t seem sensible.
But he is clearly the better goalkeeper of the 2, so if the medical team think he’s ok, I do wonder if we’ll be tempted to use him for potentially 2 crucial games.
Like Raj mentions, with the Euros coming up i’m sure Pope will be wanting to go and knows if he doesn’t play at all then he’s unlikely to make the squad.
Rotonda heights
May 15, 2024 at 11:57 AM
Comment #156I freely admit I previously thought AG was a horrible little scally on and off the pitch. How wrong was I. Comes over as a thoroughly decent and likeable lad and his on field performances have found another level.
Adamn_92
May 15, 2024 at 11:58 AM
Comment #157Joelinton, Gordon and even Murphy and Longstaff to an extent are reasons to not write players off too soon or not expect them to improve dramatically.
Not another deJong
May 15, 2024 at 11:58 AM
Comment #158lochinvar
I imagine Minteh will be taken to Australia to get a close look at him, along with the Kuol and a few young ones. I also expect Bruno and other internationals not to make the post season trip.
Raj of Hailsley
May 15, 2024 at 12:00 PM
Comment #159I was starting to get worried about AG as he was a lot of money, never wrote him off though and it should be a big lesson in any player we bring in. Pep’s players sometimes don’t feature for a full season or very little.
Not another deJong
May 15, 2024 at 12:04 PM
Comment #160Adamn_92
That front three, with Isak and Barnes as subs, is not a bad shout.
We need to pound them hard from the start, which will require our more technical players in midfield.
My preference would be:
Almiron—-Gordon—-Murphy
Joelinton–Bruno–Anderson
Hall—-Burn—-Krafth—-Livramento
————-Dubravka