Raheem Sterling says two factors combined to provide Manchester City one of their toughest pre-season tests on Saturday.
City won 3-1 thanks to goals from Kevin de Bruyne, Sterling and Lukas Nmecha, but were taken all the way by their hosts despite playing some exciting football going forward.
Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was called into action after some ponderous defending on a number of occasions and Yokohama were pushing for a deserved draw until Nmecha made the game safe in second half injury time.
And Sterling, whose goal was his fourth on tour, says the heat in Yokohama played a factor in City's incomplete performance.
Sterling also echoed manager Pep Guardiola in praising Yokohama's playing style for restricting City's defensive game.
He told ManCity.com: “It was good to get some more minutes under my belt today. With the heat it was definitely difficult but that’s what preseason is for. I feel good!”
“It was really humid and they played some really good football.
“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."
Looking ahead to the Community Shield against Liverpool next week, Sterling insisted City will be ready.
“We’ve still got another week and I’m sure by then I’ll be fully fit and ready to go," he said.
