Sterling scored City’s second of the match and again hugely impressed, as we beat the J-League contenders 3-1 in the final game of our successful Asia Tour.
With Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus still on holiday after competing in the Copa America, manager Pep Guardiola has trusted Sterling to lead the line.
It has proved more than successful as, deployed upfront, Raheem now has four goals in as many games this preseason - the perfect preparation ahead of our clash with Liverpool at Wembley next Sunday.
“It was good to get some more minutes under my belt today,” Sterling said afterwards. “With the heat it was definitely difficult but that’s what preseason is for. I feel good!”
The England international was full of praise for our opponents, who played their part in what was a competitive game played in energy-sapping conditions.
“It was really humid and they played some really good football,” Raheem added.
“They’re probably one of the best teams I’ve seen play out from the back and they played some great football so it was a great test for us.
“We’ve still got another week and I’m sure by then I’ll be fully fit and ready to go.”
