Taylor pleased by Fujino impact | OneFootball

Gareth Taylor highlighted the performance of new signing Aoba Fujino and the influence she had on our 2-1 pre-season win over Liverpool.

The Japan international had a hand in both of City’s goals as we came from behind to claim victory in a behind-closed-doors clash at Melwood Training Ground.

Lauren Hemp and Jess Park’s strikes cancelled out Marie Hobinger’s effort on the stroke of half-time with Fujino a constant threat out on the right, providing an assist for our second of the afternoon.

Taylor was particularly impressed by what he saw from our summer recruit, backing the 20-year-old to have an exciting future at the Club.

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“She’s such a talented player, very bright,” the boss said of Fujino.

“If you watch her away from the ball, her movement is top.

“And that cohesion we’re looking for between the likes of Kerstin [Casparij], Jess [Park], Lauren [Hemp] and Aoba will be really important.

“Some of the stuff she did today was top, but I wasn’t surprised because she’s a really good player and one I think will do really well for us.”

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City had to dig deep to come from behind against a well organised Liverpool side, who finished fourth last season, taking points off every side in the WSL apart from Taylor's side.

Having put on a positive display but ultimately being edged out by Paris Saint-Germain in the final match of our pre-season tour, Taylor was pleased to see his players dig deep and get the win this time.

Most importantly, though, the contest provided another chance for the squad to gain valuable minutes ahead of the new season.

He reflected: “It was a good game for us. We knew obviously with the success Liverpool had last season, they play really aggressively and we had to be smart in our play, maintaining possession and finding the spaces and the spare player.

“It took us a little while in the first half to do that, I think we managed it a bit better in the second period.

“We were able to exploit the longer ball and both goals came from there.

“It was a pleasing afternoon and valuable minutes into the players’ legs, a good challenge and everyone’s come through without anything too serious.”