“Brighton Thrash Kashima Antlers 5-1: New Signings Shine Under Hürzeler’s Debut”
Brighton & Hove Albion began their pre-season tour of Japan with a resounding win, marking new manager Fabian Hürzeler’s first match in charge. The Seagulls dominated Kashima Antlers at the National Stadium in Tokyo, securing a 5-1 victory.
This game was not only Albion’s first official pre-season match but also showcased their exciting new signings. Young talents like Yankuba Minteh, Amario Cozier-Duberry, and Ibrahim Osman shone, hinting at a promising season ahead.
The tour, driven by the rising popularity of Brighton’s Japanese star Kaoru Mitoma, attracted many local fans. Mitoma’s influence has significantly boosted Brighton’s following in Japan, leading to increased visits from Japanese fans to the Amex, dedicated ‘Mitoma’ merchandise, and a Japanese Twitter account with over 85,000 followers.
The atmosphere in the National Stadium was electric, with numerous Japanese fans wearing Brighton jerseys bearing ‘Mitoma 22’, eager to see their Premier League hero in action.
In an impressive first half, Gambia international Minteh, who recently joined from Newcastle for £33 million, opened the scoring in the 15th minute. Celebrating his 20th birthday in Tokyo, Minteh displayed his speed and skill, cutting inside and finishing with confidence to give Brighton an early lead. Throughout the first half, Minteh and Mitoma’s attacking efforts kept Kashima Antlers’ defense under constant pressure.
Brighton fans were excited by the potential of these wingers to challenge Premier League defenses in the upcoming season. Carlos Baleba, covering at left center-back for the absent Lewis Dunk, and Osman, making his debut, also impressed, helping Brighton maintain a comfortable 1-0 lead at halftime.
Turning up the heat
As is common in pre-season matches, Hürzeler made ten outfield changes in the second half to evaluate his squad for the upcoming 2024/25 Premier League season.
These changes quickly paid off. Jeremy Sarmiento doubled Brighton’s lead in the 50th minute with a perfectly controlled half-volley into the top right corner. Sarmiento, who impressed on loan at Championship runners-up Ipswich Town last season, likely hoped to secure a spot in the first-team squad with this decisive goal, despite rumors of another loan move.
Three minutes later, Yasin Ayari made it 3-0. The 20-year-old Swede, another promising talent who spent last season on loan in the Championship, showcased quick feet and a powerful finish into the roof of the net, adding to Hürzeler’s selection dilemma and highlighting Brighton’s growing squad depth.
Kashima Antlers’ right-back Koki Anzai may have thought his night would ease when Minteh was substituted. However, he faced even more challenges as Cozier-Duberry, a new signing from Arsenal, entered the fray. Cozier-Duberry’s pace and skill led to a stunning curled left-footed goal into the far post in the 63rd minute, making it 4-0. Ten minutes later, he capitalized on a defensive mistake to score his second goal.
Cozier-Duberry, initially considered for a loan move, demonstrated his potential in this match, increasing the competition for places in the squad.