Brighton & Hove Albion kicked off their pre-season tour of Japan and marked new manager Fabian Hürzeler's first game in charge as Albion fans could have asked for a better start to life under the German.
The Seagulls dominated proceedings at the National Stadium in Tokyo, beating Kashima Antlers 5-1.
This highly anticipated match not only marked the Seagulls' first official pre-season game but also gave fans a glimpse of the club's exciting new signings.
The young talents, including Yankuba Minteh, Amario Cozier-Duberry, and Ibrahim Osman, delivered standout performances that set the tone for a promising season ahead.
The tour in Japan, inspired by the meteoric rise of Brighton's Japanese superstar Kaoru Mitoma, drew a significant number of local fans.
Mitoma's popularity has seen Brighton gain a substantial following in Japan, leading to frequent visits from Japanese fans to the Amex, dedicated 'Mitoma' merchandise in the club shop, and a BHAFC-specific Japanese Twitter account boasting over 85,000 followers.
The atmosphere at the National Stadium was full of energy, with many excited Japanese fans donning Brighton tops emblazoned with 'Mitoma 22' in anticipation of seeing their Premier League superstar in action.
The game, streamed for free on MyAlbionTV, did not disappoint.
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A promising first half
Fans back home and in the stadium were treated to an early display of brilliance from one of the new signings.
Gambia international Minteh, who celebrated his 20th birthday in Tokyo on Monday, opened the scoring in the 15th minute.
The pacey winger recently joined from Newcastle for a reported £33 million, after an impressive loan spell under new Liverpool coach Arne Slot at Feyenoord last season.
Albion's new man was released down the right throughout the first half, and in the 15th minute, showcased his blistering pace, cutting inside the defenders and finishing with immense composure to give Brighton an early lead.
The Seagulls' attacking prowess was evident throughout the first half, with Minteh and Mitoma causing constant problems for the Kashima Antlers' defence.
Brighton fans were thrilled to see the potential of these two wingers to disrupt Premier League defences in the upcoming season. Carlos Baleba, filling in at left centre-back in Lewis Dunk's absence, and Osman, making his debut, also delivered solid performances, ensuring a comfortable 1-0 lead for Brighton at half-time.
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Turning up the heat
As is customary in pre-season fixtures, the second half saw 10 outfield changes as Hürzeler assessed his squad options for the 2024/25 Premier League season.
The changes paid off quickly, with Jeremy Sarmiento doubling the lead in the 50th minute with a beautifully controlled half-volley into the top right corner.
Sarmiento impressed on loan at Championship runners-up Ipswich Town last season. Despite rumours of a move away again this summer, he will surely have hoped to stake his claim for a role in the first-team squad next season with this emphatic finish.
Just three minutes later, Yasin Ayari made it 3-0 for Brighton.
The 20-year-old Swede, another promising talent who spent last season on loan in the Championship, displayed quick feet and an emphatic finish into the roof of the net.
Ayari's performance added to Hürzeler's selection headache, providing further evidence of Brighton's burgeoning depth.
The Antlers' right-back Koki Anzai probably thought his night would get easier when Minteh was taken off.
On the contrary, he endured an even trickier start to the second half as replacement Cozier-Duberry, a new signing from Arsenal, made life difficult.
Cozier-Duberry's pace and ability to cut inside culminated in a spectacular Bukayo Saka-esque curled left-footed finish into the far post in the 63rd minute, making it 4-0.
Ten minutes later, he capitalized on a defensive error to score his second goal.
Cozier-Duberry is another player who may have been looked at for a loan deal away from the Amex, but his performance in this match highlights his potential and increasing competition for places in the squad.
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Post-match reflections
Speaking after the match, Hürzeler said that he was "very satisfied" with Cozier-Duberry's "attitude and character inside him" and stated that the young winger is "always listening [and] trying to develop."
Kashima Antlers managed to pull a goal back with five minutes remaining, perhaps a sign of their better fitness, given that they are already halfway through their season.
However, the day belonged to Brighton and their young stars, who showcased their talents and gave fans plenty to be excited about.
Excitement over the new signings was encapsulated perfectly by Twitter user @owen_bhafc, who said: "Not to overreact over a pre-season game but we might win the league".
The 5-1 victory was undeniably an impressive start to Brighton's pre-season campaign.
It was a great test and a match that provided a tantalizing glimpse of the new signings and Hürzeler's dynamic football philosophy.
Brighton fans, both in Japan and back in the UK, will be eager to see the same again when Albion face Tokyo Verdy on Sunday.
