Marmoush features as Manchester City beat Korean League All-Stars in pre-season win

Manchester City began their preparations for the new season with a 3-1 friendly victory over the Korean League All-Stars, with Egypt forward Omar Marmoush making his first appearance since returning from international duty at the 2026 World Cup.

Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Divin Mubama scored for City, while Kim Dae-won replied for the Korean side in a fast-paced opening period.

Marmoush came on in the 62nd minute, marking his return to action after a period of rest following his involvement with Egypt at the World Cup. The forward had not featured earlier in Manchester City’s preparations.

City took the lead after nine minutes when Ait-Nouri produced a fine finish into the right side of the Korean League All-Stars’ goal. The opportunity came after the ball deflected off the Korean team’s defence, allowing the Manchester City player to strike from a promising position.

The hosts’ advantage lasted only three minutes. Kim Dae-won levelled in the 12th minute with a powerful effort that flew past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and into the Manchester City net.

Pep Guardiola’s side restored their lead in the 20th minute. Reijnders received a pass from Antoine Semenyo before sending a well-placed shot beyond the Korean goalkeeper to make it 2-1.

Manchester City added a third goal three minutes later. Semenyo’s effort was saved by the Korean League All-Stars goalkeeper, but Mubama reacted quickly to follow up and finish from the rebound.

The result gives Manchester City a significant victory in their pre-season programme as they continue to build towards the start of the new campaign.

Their next friendly will be against Atletico de Madrid, which will be City’s third preparation match before the season begins.

Manchester City’s previous friendly was against Inter Milan. That match ended 1-1 after normal time, before City lost 3-1 on penalties.

The club will then face Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday, 16 August. That match is scheduled to kick off at 17:00 Cairo time.

Manchester City will open their Premier League campaign against Bournemouth on 23 August, with kick-off set for 16:00 Cairo time.

The victory over the Korean League All-Stars therefore forms part of a short run of preparation matches that will lead into the Community Shield and the opening league fixture. With Marmoush now back in the squad after his international commitments, City have continued their preparations with a convincing result and three goals in the first 23 minutes.