Hang onto your kimonos – Brighton could be in for a great season

As we waited for Wednesday morning to roll around when Brighton would take on Kashima Antlers, I must admit I was getting a little twitchy hanging on for an Albion official email to say we would be able to watch the game live on My Albion TV.

But on game day it came and so by 11am, I had signed off from any work and settled down to watch. The picture quality was fantastic. You could see all the detail.

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t for such crystal clear images over the wire from Tokyo. My decision to book the mid-morning off work to watch when we were still unsure whether the game would be streamed was suddenly looking for a very good one.

I have been to Japan, sadly only to Nagasaki, which was a wonderful visit and very moving due to its history. I tried to convince Mrs N we could have a quick trip to Tokyo this summer and even tempted her with a ride on the Bullet Train; however, nothing was done.

If we go to Japan, she wants the works – a cruise around the whole country in springtime when the blossom is out. It is supposed to be one of the most amazing experiences in the world. I do wonder though if it is better than watching the Albion win 5-1 in a pre-season friendly?

The venue for the game was the National Stadium, where Brighton play both of their games on this tour. The second comes on Sunday 28th July against Tokyo Verdy.

After that, the Albion rush back to the UK for a visit to Loftus Road and a friendly against Queens Park Rangers. Then, finally, it is a friendly at the American Express Stadium against Villarreal from Spain at the Amex.

I will be at that game and with only certain parts of the ground open, watching from a Brighton North Stand for the first time since 1966 when I went to the Goldstone Ground, aged only 11-years-old.

There is so much to look forward to this season. We have a new manager in Fabian Hurzeler and a squad that is looking to be quite formidable if the start is anything to go by.

The new kit too looks quite outstanding. Funny, isn’t it, how just a quick tweak of a blue and white shirt can really make a difference?

James Milner captained the side, who were without several of our faithful. Lewis Dunk, Pascal Gross and Bart Verbruggen were on holiday after playing in the Euros for their national teams.

Julio Enciso is at the Olympics with Paraguay and of course there is still something of an injury hangover from last season; Solly March, Pervis Estupinan, Evan Ferguson and so on all remain out.

Since the Albion arrived in Tokyo on the Saturday, the weather has been very hot and very humid with temperatures over 30°c.

We were told training had been held in the evening to ensure players could cope with the weather conditions. Even so, training in such heat is extremely good for their fitness levels and can make a difference when tiredness and fatigue creep in this season.

Kashima Antlers 1-5 Brighton apparently started in slightly lower humidity than Tokyo had been experience. Only 56% as a thunderstorm had helped clear the air slightly.

The star of the show and the player most of the locals wanted to see of course was Kaoru Mitoma. Everywhere the cameras panned around the crowd, you could see his number 22 shirt.

Mr Paul Barber must have enjoyed that, sitting comfortably in the posh seats watching the game. Brighton shirts bought from the temporary Tokyo Albion Superstore apparently cost 25,154 Japanese Yen – the equivalent of £127. We must think ourselves lucky the Albion only charge us £90 in England!

Brighton started the game at speed and Milner had two early corners. Mitoma was very unlucky with an attempt landing on the roof of the net as it took a Rik O’Shay.

With only 10 minutes gone, the players were clearly sweating profusely. Milner in particular looked wringing wet. No surprise, but Mitoma dealt better than most and was soon showing the skill and ability the Albion have missed since his February back injury.

The Albion’s opener came from Yankuba Minteh, the club’s new record buy from Newcastle United. Watch out for Minteh this season. He looks capable of setting the Premier League on fire.

Minteh’s goal was a result of some accurate long passes, a difference from how Brighton would play under Roberto De Zerbi. The ball was also moved quicker and with more urgency. Such changes show Hurzeler is already making his mark.

Wanting to look at as many players as possible, Hurzeler changed every outfielder at half time. Only Jason Steele in goal completed the whole 90 minutes.

To me, Hurzeler seemed to opt for a stronger XI in the first half than the second. Yet Brighton scored more goals in the second half than the first.

A sign of the impressive squad the Albion already have going into the season, even before more possible reinforcements. 31 players have gone to Japan, and as already indicated several other first choices remain elsewhere.

Good luck to Hurzeler keeping them all happy. A nice problem to have, certainly compared to last season when De Zerbi has so short of options that I often considered taking my boots along and offering my services to the manager.

There was a very colourful explosion outside the stadium of fireworks. We were not informed whether it was planned and it seemed to take place in the middle of the match. Nevertheless, it was quite pretty to watch.

The second half was only five minutes old when Jeremy Sarmiento volleyed in to make it 2-0. Yasin Ayari added a third with a firm shot hit over the head of the goalkeeper into the top right hand corner of the net.

Ayari’s goal came from positive, quick decision making. He didn’t wait or take his time. Clinical is the word I am looking for. Could he step into the first team this season and provide a source of goals from midfield?

The final two goals from the Albion’s new signing from Arsenal, Amario Cozier-Dewbury. Our own Bukayo Saka, who played very much like the England winger in scoring his brace.

Cozier-Dewbury made it 4-0 with a left footed curling shot and then repeated the trick a few minutes later to complete the scoring.

The only downside was a slight lapse in concentration at the end, allowing Homare Tokada to chip over Steele and deny Brighton a clean sheet.

An attendance of 25,172 looked sparse in the 67,750 capacity stadium but the Albion still must have been happy with the turnout for a pre-season game – double the crowd which normally turns out to watch Brighton in their annual friendly at the Amex each season.

Already, I am looking forward to seeing what Sunday morning brings against Tokyo Verdy and then the following nine months.

Hang onto your kimonos – Brighton could be in for a great season.

Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony