The young Magpies lost 7-3 at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, with Michael Mills, Ethan Fullen and Oliver Best on target for Graeme Coulson's side.

United trailed 5-1 at half time against an XI made up of some of Japan's most promising youth players, in front of a crowd of close to 2,000.

Coach Coulson told newcastleunited.com: "Overall the experience was tremendous.

"Playing in a stadium in front of over 1,000 people, under the lights, is brilliant for their development.

"We travelled with a young squad - a build up of (players born in) 2011, 2010 and 2009 to play their 2009s.

"The direction the club is going in, the more we expose our boys to different cultures and environments the better place they will be in when reaching Eddie (Howe)'s team.

"We would like to thank the J.League for their excellent support throughout our stay."

The match was part of the club's visit to Japan for the 'J.League International Series 2024 powered by docomo'.

The Magpies' men's first team beat 2022 AFC Champions League winners Urawa Red Diamonds 4-1 at the 63,700-capacity Saitama Stadium on Wednesday, and face last season's J.League runners-up Yokohama F. Marinos at the impressive Japan National Stadium on Saturday.