Yokohama F. Marinos vs. Manchester City: first half match report

By Laura Graves - 23 July 2023, 10:54

The first half between Yokohama F. Marinos and Manchester City is underway.

.45′: Grealish is the furthest forward as the ball is hoofed towards him but he’s offside.

3′: Kovacic makes a great run towards the box, however Grealish releases the ball too late.

5′: Yokohama F. Marinos break but are offside.

7′: Various missed chances by the Blues as the ball pings around the box

9′: Pressure builds through McAtee with some lovely feet.

10′: Manchester City dictating play until Yokohama nicks the ball back but it ends up with Ortega.

11′: Passing is a little sloppy and the ball ends up out for a Yokohama throw-in. Yokohama get the ball up into the City half and get a cross-off but Ake is there to thwart the danger.

12′: Alvarez with a chance. Could not get the ball under control with the little space he had.

13′: Yokohama get the ball forward, the pass comes off too quickly and Ortega collects easily.

14′: Kovacic settling in well, linking up the play and pushing forward when needed. Almost as though this is not his first game for Manchester City.

16′: The tables turn and Yokohama begin to apply some light pressure around the City box.

17′: John Stones glides down the right-side with the ball, but it ends up back in the City half as they are unable to find space.

18′: Alvarez pressing extremely high with a sliding tackle on the Yokohama keeper, it deflects out for a goal-kick.

20′: Yokohama break and Walker is caught out of position, though Cole Palmer provides cover and the danger is brought under control by Akanji – good defensive work by Palmer.

21′: A fantastic challenge by Stones who takes the ball from Yokohama who have breached the City box.

22′: Cole Palmer wins a free-kick in the City half.

23′: McAtee with a late challenge and gives away a free-kick. Akanji cuts out a dangerous through ball and prevents another Yokohama chance.

24′: Kovacic with great feet to get himself through the middle of the pitch. Ultimately leading to City’s first shot on target. Palmers shot is saved.

25′: Palmer weaves his way past the Yokohama defence and cuts it back but he doesn’t find a teammate.

28′: GOAL! Yokohama break and see their shot saved by Ortega. It bounces back into the box and finds the feet of Lopes who takes a composed left-footed shot and Ortega can’t keep it out.

Yokohama F. Marinos 1 – 0 Manchester City.

29′: Yokohama with another chance. The cross comes in from the right but it’s headed over the bar and out for a City goal-kick.

30′: Manchester City momentarily down to 10 men as McAtee leaves the pitch after treatment for an impact injury. He can continue and comes back on at 31′.

31′: Kyle Walker cuts out a long ball to prevent Yokohama progressing forward.

33′: Phillips sees a shot saved as he times his run and shot well.

34′: McAtee with a lovely ball through the middle which creates an opportunity, the ball is pushed wide to Ake who pulls it into the box but the all is just behind Alvarez and he can’t take his shot.

35′: The ball comes through to Palmer on the edge of the box who takes a shot and sees it deflected and back into Yokohama possession.

37′: GOAL! Yokohama break down the right with Walker out of position again, a fantastic ball through to Matsubara who is in plenty of open space and slots it past Ortega.

Yokohama F. Marinos 2 – 0 Manchester City.

38′: OFFSIDE! Alvarez can’t take a clear shot and it’s called offside.

39′: Yokohama break but the danger is thwarted.

40′: GOAL! Johnny, Johnny Stones. He gets the Blues excited. Walker breaks down the right and pulls the ball back to Alvarez who bundles it to Stones. The CB takes a stunning strike from the edge of the box.