After Wednesday's 4-1 win over Urawa Red Diamonds, Eddie Howe's side went in search of a third straight win in their preparations for the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, but were undone by Élber and Amano's neat finishes in the stifling heat at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo.

The Magpies started well, with debutant Lloyd Kelly involved in the first chance of the evening. The former Bournemouth defender played in Alexander Isak over the top, and his cutback was perfect for Sean Longstaff. The midfielder shimmied past his marker and shot, but goalkeeper Hiroki Iikura was equal to it.

There were moments of danger for United early on - Yan Matheus thumped an effort from a tight angle into the sidenetting, Kenta Inoue clipped the crossbar with another strike and Kelly put in a timely block during another attack. Howe's side retained a threat in the final third, with Isak and Harvey Barnes both going close.

But just after the half hour mark, they fell behind. It was a well-worked opener for the hosts, with Keigo Sakakibara released down the right before his pinpoint delivery was turned home first time by Élber in the middle; a neat finish to cap a fine move and give his side a lead they held until the break.

Howe rang the changes at the break, making seven changes to his side, but they began the second half poorly. After a let-off early in the second period, Amano wasn't so forgiving when Yuta Koike robbed Jacob Murphy on the byline and squared for him to slot home his team's second. There was a suggestion that the ball may have gone out prior to Koike's cutback, but the manner of the goal will have disappointed the Magpies.

Former Arsenal winger Ryo Miyaichi then forced a save from Pope as the Marinos continued to push, with Yuhi Murakami putting the ball in the net with a cool low finish, only to be denied by the offside flag, which had gone up just as he took aim.

Newcastle looked to fight back, with Miguel Almirón and Murphy going close, while substitute Trevan Sanusi was a lively presence on the left flank.

But they couldn't muster a response in their second and final outing of the week-long trip to Japan - and were, in the end, somewhat fortunate not to have conceded a third late on when Miyaichi somehow missed with a header from point-blank range.

Newcastle United: Odysseas Vlachodimos (Nick Pope 46); Tino Livramento (Harrison Ashby 46), Fabian Schär (Emil Krafth 46), Lloyd Kelly (Dan Burn 46), Lewis Hall (Jamal Lewis 64); Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimarães (Jacob Murphy 46), Joelinton (Alfie Harrison 64); Miguel Almirón, Alexander Isak (Ben Parkinson 46), Harvey Barnes (Trevan Sanusi 46 (Jay Turner-Cooke 88)).

Subs not used: John Ruddy, Cathal Heffernan, Jamie Miley.