4 things we learned from Man City’s pre-season tour clash with Leicester
Manchester City came up against a tough Leicester City in their opening game of the Perth International Cup, seeing them clinch a win from a deciding penalty shoot-out.
Both sides had their fair share of chances in the 90 minutes of play, with new recruit and second-half substitute Vivianne Miedema coming closest to a goal after her header hit the crossbar.
The game saw several new signings make their first appearances for the club, but it was goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita’s show-stopping saves that earned her praise at the end of the shootout.
It was a delight to see last season’s Golden Boot winner Khadjia ‚Bunny‘ Shaw make her return after missing out on the end of her 2023/24 campaign due to a foot injury.
Manager Gareth Taylor also used the game as an opportunity to stretch the legs of as many of his 24-player squad as possible, with 21 securing minutes by the final whistle.
Despite a tougher than anticipated dual with WSL rivals Leicester, here’s what we learned from City’s first win of pre-season.
City announced the arrival of Vivianne Miedema, the WSL’s all-time top goalscorer to the club in July, following her shock exit from Arsenal.
She made her unofficial debut here, coming on as a substitute in the second half.
Miedema may have only graced the field for 20 minutes, but she managed to create the best chance of the game when her header came off the crossbar. There’s no doubt that her ability to make an opportunity in such a short period of time will have left fans impressed and wanting more.
Despite coming close to a goal towards the end of the 90 minutes, she will be pleased to have hit the back of the net in the subsequent penalty shootout.
Although we only got the opportunity to see a glimmer of Miedema’s talent, it was the teaser we needed to drum up excitement for what will no doubt be, an exciting 2024/25 campaign for the Netherlands international in this new chapter of her career.
Taylor made the right decision giving new goalkeeping recruit Ayaka Yamashita the opportunity to show what she’s made of.
City’s number one Khiara Keating made the starting XI but made way at half-time. Yamashita was certainly challenged by Leicester, but she remained unfazed and proved to be a capable pair of hands.
The 28-year-old was thrown into the deep end when the final whistle blew and she was faced with a penalty shootout in her first appearance. Once again, she was able to showcase her talents, by making two outstanding saves, playing an instrumental role in City’s victory.
The win has secured City’s spot in the final of the Perth International Cup on 1 September, against either West Ham United or Paris Saint-Germain.
Speaking after the game at HBF Park, Taylor said: „I think it’s a good start for us. I think there was purpose with a lot of our play with and without the ball. Of course there are some things for us to work on, but it’s really difficult.
„You try to prepare for these games as much as you can by replicating it in training and sometimes when we haven’t got enough in the game, we tend to open our lungs a bit because sometimes it becomes quite physical.
„And obviously with the crowd here it’s a really big occassion for some of our young players. So, I’m really plased. I think the experienced players helped the young ones really well and like I say there are some bits to work on for sure.“
City have arguably the strongest frontline in the WSL right now thanks to some impressive summer signings this summer, but competition for a place in the starting lineup has never been greater.
Miedema and Aoba Fujino have joined Mary Fowler, Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, Jess Park, Poppy Pritchard and ‚Bunny‘ Shaw ahead of the club’s 2024/25 season.
Although it’s a fortunate position to be in, to have such a talented pool of players, it’s a headache for, Taylor who will have to make some tough decision soon as to who his preferred options are.