Reigning J. League champion Yokohama F. Marinos and English treble winner Manchester City combined for a thrilling exhibition Wednesday, trading blows in a four-goal first half before City star Erling Haaland took control to guide his team to a 5-3 win at Tokyo¡¯s National Stadium.

Four days after besting Scottish champion Celtic 6-4 in a rowdy night at Nissan Stadium, Kevin Muscat praised his players for playing bravely against a team that just weeks ago lifted the Champions League trophy.

¡°Sometimes in life you have to make decisions, and you make decisions to protect who you are, to protect your identity, or you do something different because it¡¯s easier,¡± Muscat said. ¡°And tonight, the guys protected the Marinos identity with a great deal of honor, a great deal of courage.