Yokohama F. Marinos boss makes honest Newcastle United claim as 'top level' claim made

The J-League side won 2-0 at the Japan National Stadium with a goal in either half. Brazilian player Elber opened the scoring in the 34th minute before Jun Amano doubled his team’s advantage shortly after half-time.

Yokohama are midway through their competitive campaign and return to competitive action in midweek when they host bottom-of-the-table Consadole Sapporo. The Magpies, meanwhile, are in the middle of preparing for the new Premier League season, which gets underway at home to Southampton in just under a fortnight’s time.

Hutchinson believes Newcastle were a threat at stages in the game but admits the heat and humidity restricted Eddie Howe’s side.

“Winning builds confidence in the team and we spoke before the game mainly about us and what we want to do and who we want to become as a team,” Hutchinson said in his post-match press conference.

“The main goal tonight was to create competition inside the team because that is the only way for us to push forward, and tonight there were some excellent performances and some tough decision have to be made for the Sapporo game [on Wednesday].

“Really happy to have played a top-level team like Newcastle. They’re in the middle of pre-season, the humidity and heat was difficult for them. You could see their class at times when they played through us.

“Overall very happy, not the result but very happy to have competition with players competing against each other inside the team.”

Hutchinson was placed in temporary charge of Yokohama two weeks ago after they sacked former Leeds United and Liverpool winger Harry Kewell. Yokohama currently sit 11th in the league table having won the title two years ago.

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