Star-studded Real Madrid shrugged off a slow start
in their first match on tour in Japan as they stormed back from an early goal
down to beat local club JEF United Ichihara 1-3.
"It was a typical pre-season match," said Jose Antonio Camacho, head coach of
the Spanish giants.
"We couldn't control the game in the first 10 minutes. But we played better
after we modified the (players') positioning and much better in the second half.
" It is what we are going to work on during these pre-season matches," Camacho
said.
The local J-League side surprised 51,840 spectators as Brazilian striker
Marquinhos netted on a free kick to give Ichiha a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute.
But the expensively assembled Spanish team soon started to control the ball,
connecting accurate and quick passes to move their opponents around and get them
tired.
It allowed Guti, Raul and Santiago Solari to score after some pin-point passing
in the 23rd, 36th minutes and in injury time.
"It was a game to see if we can do what we planned before the match and we did
it pretty well and won. We tried to keep the ball as long as possible and it
resulted in three goals," said Guti.
Man-of-the-match Raul said: "It was a good game as our second game of the season.
Hopefully, we can play like this in our next match too."
France's World Cup captain Zinedine Zidane and Brazilian striker Ronaldo did not
play due to left foot problems, but Camacho said they were both rested on
precaution.
"Their injuries are not serious at all. I just thought it would be better for
them not to play today, because if they had played, it would have made them more
tired. Besides, we have one more game," said Camacho.
Meanwhile, Ichihara's Croat coach Ivica Osim admitted the difference between one
of the top teams of the world and his own.
"Real is a very big team. Whatever I say about them, it does not explain the
exact level of their team. They play ideal football. They are really fantastic,"
said Osim.
Real will take on another J-League team Tokyo Verdy on Sunday during their
one-week visit here. |