Newcastle United were forced to endure a frustrating 1-0 defeat to K League XI in South Korea on July 30. This loss was as much about losing the pre-season friendly series for a third straight summer. The team was dealt a crushing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Celtic. They suffered a disappointing 3-2 defeat to Arsenal, which will concern fans given how close we are to the new season.
The match against K League XI took place at a vibrant venue, where Dong-gyeong Lee proved to be a significant threat in the first half, creating numerous opportunities for his team. Newcastle’s summer signing, Anthony Elanga, managed to register the Magpies’ first shot on target but could not find the back of the net. The tipping point came with Kim’s goal. He cut in from the left flank and lashed the ball into the top far corner for the only goal of the match.
Injury Concerns for Newcastle
The game brought cause for concern for Newcastle as midfielder Joe Willock picked up a serious injury. He was stretchered off late in the game with what looked like a serious ankle injury. Boss Eddie Howe discussed the situation post-match and said he was hopeful the injury is not serious.
“But at this moment, it doesn’t look like a major injury. And fingers crossed it’s not, because Joe has suffered enough. Hopefully he’s okay.” – Eddie Howe
Newcastle will have to monitor Willock’s injury in the lead up to their next game against Tottenham Hotspur.
Upcoming Matches and Challenges
Newcastle’s visit to Tottenham should be an interesting match. It will be held on 3 August at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, starting from 12 pm. This matchup is extremely important for the squad. It will support them in restoring faith among supporters and developing more momentum before the new season starts. Following their showdown with Tottenham, Newcastle will take on Espanyol on August 8. Then on the day home to Atletico Madrid, both games taking place at St James’ Park. The Espanyol match is set for a 7:30 pm kick-off, while Atletico Madrid will visit for a 4 pm start.
Reflection on Pre-Season Performance
With three pre-season losses under their belt, Newcastle’s manager Eddie Howe faces mounting pressure to turn the team’s fortunes around. Their key player, Alexander Isak, missed the game against K League XI. In general, his absence was felt most in how one prepared for intimidating competitive matches.
Regrouping and Improving
The onus is now on the team to quickly regroup and improve as they prepare to face their next fixtures.
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