Moses, Mikel train in Japan

Super Eagles duo of John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses both underwent their first training session in Japan on Monday at the home of local side Yokohama F. Marinos FC, ahead of Thursday’s FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against Monterrey.

Mikel, Odemwingie  and Moses

The facility was located close enough to allow the players to change into their kit at the hotel – where hundreds of Japanese supporters were camped outside hoping to catch a glimpse of their heroes – before making the short journey to the ground.

Both Mikel and Moses alongside youngsters Lucas Piazon and George Saville, were put through their paces by Rafael Benitez and his coaching staff for more than an hour on a chilly, albeit sunny, afternoon in the far-east.

Open to the media, it was a relatively light session following the gruelling combination of Saturday’s game at Sunderland and a 12-hour flight, beginning with a series of running drills and stretching exercises, before the players were split into two groups for a keep-ball session designed to improve touch and technique.

It was then on to a possession-based game in which no player was allowed to take more than two touches, with the team clad in pink bibs – including the likes of Frank Lampard, Oscar and Gary Cahill flourishing.