Blackburn Rovers continued their strong start to pre-season as they beat Qatar SC 5-1 in the first of their Spain doubleheader.
Valerien Ismael named a strong team in what was a well-contested first-half affair.
Rovers raced into a two-goal lead thanks to a brace from Yuki Ohashi. Ryan Hedges won the ball back high up the pitch and fed the striker to fire across goal.
The Japanese forward got a second soon after. This time latching onto Todd Cantwell's through ball and rounding the goalkeeper to give Rovers a comfortable lead.
That lasted until just before half-time when a mix-up at the back saw Qatar SC pull one back. Joao Pedro fired low into the corner after racing clear.
Rovers made six changes at half-time and then a further five on the hour. That naturally saw the intensity drop but Blackburn still got another three.
Cantwell got the third, riding two challenges to lift the ball over the goalkeeper in impressive style. Igor Tyjon and Augustus Kargbo then scored in the final 10 minutes to add further gloss to the scoreline.
Here's a breakdown of the key takeaways from a handsome victory in Spain.
READ MORE: Blackburn Rovers player ratings as two players stand out in Qatar SC rout
Brittain report rubished
It wouldn't be pre-season if these things didn't drop on you at the worst time. As I switched my phone from Aeroplane mode, having just landed in Alicante, it began to buzz after a report that Derby County had 'agreed a free' for Callum Brittain.
There was feasibility behind it. The Rams have already had one bid knocked back and we know John Eustace is a big fan. At this point, I'd be surprised if there isn't an offer to take me to the Midlands by the end of the window such is their interest in people of a Rovers persuasion.
However, it was quickly rubbished when Brittain walked out onto the Pinatar Arena pitch to inspect the facilities. He then played 45 minutes and didn't look like a player where blue and white for the final time.
It was a bit more of a low-key performance with a lot of Rovers' moves coming down their left side. But he showed his defensive improvement with a few impressive pieces of one-on-one defending.
What this proves is that, regardless of whether the speculation has merit, it will exist until one of three things happens. Brittain leaves, Rovers sign him to a new contract or the window shuts! Even the third one will only squash the rumours for a number of weeks.
Ohashi sharp-shooter
It might only be pre-season but Ohashi is looking very sharp. He'd looked a few yards ahead in the first two pre-season games and proved it again on Tuesday night.
Whether it's the fact he's been away with Japan and so has retained some match sharpness, or the fact he's had a break (albeit smaller than others!) for the first time in 18 months, it's showing.
He'd already got off the mark against Accrington Stanley with a really well taken goal. His display against Everton was solid, not looking out of place against Premier League opponents.
Against Qatar SC, he took it to another level, scoring twice in 20 minutes. He took the goals really well; first firing across the goalkeeper into the bottom corner after being freed by Hedges, who won the ball high up the pitch.
The second required impressive composure. Cantwell slipped him in and he rounded the advancing goalkeeper before slotting into a tightening angle. Two clinical finishes.
Ohashi suits Ismael's style of play down to the ground. He's athletic and a willing presser from the front. He showed flashes last season of real quality and it left me feeling that his second could be even better.
It's only pre-season but the early signs are encouraging. The adaptation to English football is over, his grasp on the language is far better and he's actually had a rest. That can only bode well with Rovers needing more goals in the team.
New boys get their first taste
Sean McLoughlin and Ryan Alebiosu got their first taste of football in blue and white.
The former started at centre-back alongside Dom Hyam and was largely untroubled. The only blemish on his debut was the conceded goal, with neither him or Yuri Ribeiro taking charge which allowed the ball to squirm past them. It was a small blip on an otherwise decent display.
Alebiosu got half an hour at right-back and gave a taste of what he's about; pace and athleticism. He will provide Ismael with a more like-for-like alternative if Brittain gets injured or indeed leaves.
Cantwell catches the eye
We all know the quality that Cantwell possesses but extracting that on a consistent basis is the big challenge. His debut season at Rovers brought as much frustration as such.
However, with a full pre-season at Ewood Park, he looks fresh and fitter. His intensity off the ball is noticeably better. He can press more and for longer periods.
That is without taking away too much energy when he has the ball. Cantwell's threaded pass for Ohashi's second was a clear example of the quality he possesses with time on the ball. It's a unique skillset in this Blackburn squad.
He took his goal really well, too. He anticipated the loose pass, showed great strength to ride two challenges and then lifted the ball over the goalkeeper with the inventiveness we know he has.
Positive early signs that he can make this season a better one.
WBA XI starts to take shape
We've only had three games but it does look as though Ismael has the bulk of a preferred XI that might start at the Hawthorns.
In the trio of warm-up games, the only changes have been at right-back and centre-back. Those were enforced, bar Scott Wharton coming out of the team on Tuesday as Rovers continue to manage his fitness.
There are still places up for grabs. Augustus Kargbo has produced bright cameos whilst there is a battle to partner Dom Hyam on August 8. Aynsley Pears will want to push Balazs Toth in the final two games two having not played so far due to niggles.
Ismael said that he was hoping for a much more settled XI after too many injuries last term. He wants Rovers' team to have strong connections and understanding across the pitch. The only way to do that is to play together regularly and they were again afforded an hour before wholesale changes were made.
That's bearing out so far in pre-season and it wouldn't be a shock if that starting XI also faced West Brom.
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