Urawa Red Diamond manager sends classy message to Newcastle United after Tokyo clash

The Magpies are in Tokyo for a week-long tour and played the first of two games against Uwara. United won 4-1 at the Saitama Stadium, Alexander Isak opened the scoring three minutes in before Rio Nitta equalised.

Jacob Murphy made it 2-1 on the brink of half-time and added his second and United’s third shortly after the break. Lewis Hall then netted a fourth midway through the second-half.

Reflecting on the game, Hogmo said: “I’m really happy that we could have Newcastle to visit us.

First-half I was pleased with the offensive part of it. The way we built up and the way we played through them was good to see. It was 2-1 but it could have been the opposite in favour of us.

“I’m also happy for the first time this season we had nearly all our players in the squad get some minutes and we got important references when it comes to quality in our final moments.

“If we do a mistake or not press they have high quality in terms of shooting. A the same time, we see we can definitely improve in the last third when it comes to the same shooting quality because we have come into so many good situations.

“I said to the players, these are the kind of games that is important for us to play in as many as possible. But again, thank you to Newcastle for coming all the way to Japan.”

Newcastle are back in action on Saturday when they face Yokohama F. Marinos before returning back to the UK for the ‘Sela weekender’ when Girona and Stade Brestois visit St James’ Park.

Konnichiwa! Newcastle United are in Japan - and so too are NewcastleWorld!

Our Newcastle United writer Jordan Cronin is there all week, providing coverage of the tour, behind the scenes video and analysis from Tokyo. 

And we’re proud to announce that our Newcastle United coverage of the tour has a sponsor! Every story from Japan is sponsored by Mobility Care Solutions Ltd, with the shop’s official mascot Murphy!

Eddie Howe's men take on Urawa Red Diamonds at the Saitama Stadium on Wednesday, July 31. They then face J.League runners-up Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday, August 3.

For more information on Mobility Care Solutions Ltd click this link.