Real Madrid shrug off slow start in pre-season Japan match

Star-studded Real Madrid shrugged off a slow start in their first match on tour in Japan as they stormed back from an early goal down to beat local club JEF United Ichihara 1-3.

"It was a typical pre-season match," said Jose Antonio Camacho, head coach of the Spanish giants.

"We couldn't control the game in the first 10 minutes. But we played better after we modified the (players') positioning and much better in the second half."

"It is what we are going to work on during these pre-season matches," Camacho said.

The local J-League side surprised 51,840 spectators as Brazilian striker Marquinhos netted on a free kick to give Ichiha a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute.

But the expensively assembled Spanish team soon started to control the ball, connecting accurate and quick passes to move their opponents around and get them tired.

It allowed Guti, Raul and Santiago Solari to score after some pin-point passing in the 23rd, 36th minutes and in injury time.

"It was a game to see if we can do what we planned before the match and we did it pretty well and won. We tried to keep the ball as long as possible and it resulted in three goals," said Guti.

Man-of-the-match Raul said: "It was a good game as our second game of the season. Hopefully, we can play like this in our next match too."

France's World Cup captain Zinedine Zidane and Brazilian striker Ronaldo did not play due to left foot problems, but Camacho said they were both rested on precaution.

"Their injuries are not serious at all. I just thought it would be better for them not to play today, because if they had played, it would have made them more tired. Besides, we have one more game," said Camacho.

Meanwhile, Ichihara's Croat coach Ivica Osim admitted the difference between one of the top teams of the world and his own.

"Real is a very big team. Whatever I say about them, it does not explain the exact level of their team. They play ideal football. They are really fantastic," said Osim.

Real will take on another J-League team Tokyo Verdy on Sunday during their one-week visit here.