By David Hobbs
July 28 2005

Sir Alex Ferguson remains upbeat despite losing their 100% unbeaten pre-season run at the hands of Japanese outfit Kashima Antlers, who punished the Red Devils for wasting golden goal-mouth opportunities.

Oh Deer... Antlers Punish United

Kashima Antlers 2
Motoyama X2

Manchester United 1
Ryan Giggs

An earthquake, measuring 3.0 on the Richter Scale, occured midway through the first-half but that wasn't that only the thing that caused a rumble as the United players started to argue with each other towards the end of the disappointing game.

The failure to convert chances has been haunting Sir Alex Ferguson for many months now but is satisfied with his players and is only focusing on their fitness. "We had an awful lot of chances, they had counter-attacks and we could have lost one or two more, but I'm quite pleased," admitted the Scotsman.

"The quality of our game was good, we had a lot of good movement It was a repeat of the FA Cup final (against Arsenal)."

Fergie tinkered with his starting XI, handing starts to Tim Howard, Liam Miller, Kleberson and Louis Saha.

Masashi Motoyama put the J League leaders ahead just five minutes into the game, smashing a sizzling volley beyond the reach of Tim Howard.

United kept their focus and put themselves back into the game moments later courtesy of Ryan Giggs. The Welshman converted a low Cristiano Ronaldo cross to silence the hosts.

The earlier rally of chances continued as Motoyama doubled his side's advantage with another sweet volley that evaded Tim Howard yet again.

After the interval and the arrival of Alan Smith, Wayne Rooney and Alan Smith, United wasted several chances to equalise.

Wayne Rooney picked out a superb pass to Dutchman van Nistelrooy midway through the second period but his effort lacked power and was easily gathered.

However, it was the Motoyama-show as he he went close on a further two occasions and was inches from extending the Antlers' lead. United now face the Urawa Red Diamonds in a couple of days.

Final Score: Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Manchester United
Venue: National Stadium, Tokyo

Manchester United: Howard; P Neville, Ferdinand, G Neville (Silvestre 45), O'Shea (Bardsley 77); Ronaldo (Park 70), Miller (Smith, 45), Jones (Rooney 45), Kleberson, Giggs; Saha (Van Nistelrooy 62)