Wolves were crowned Asia Trophy champions to round off a successful pre-season tour of China. After 90 goalless minutes with the Manchester City, Wolves prevailed on penalties after Ryan Bennett, Taylor Perry and Ruben Vinagre scored from 12 yards.
Rui Patricio saved three of the Premier League champions’ penalties after an impressive display during the 90 minutes to help Wolves come out on top in their first ever participation in the competition.
It was Manchester City who probed early on, with Sterling following a mazy run with a simple shot at Rui Patricio, before the goalkeeper spread himself to deny Aymeric Laporte at point-blank range.
The pressure continued and once Leroy Sane showed Adama Traore a clean pair of heels, Wolves looked in trouble. The wide man’s flying run was halted by a combination of Traore and Conor Coady, and Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot. However, Sterling failed to convert, clearing Patricio’s crossbar with his penalty.
Wolves improved from that point, but once Ryan Bennett’s header back across goal evaded Leander Dendoncker, City almost punished them, only for Leroy Sane to drive wide from Sterling’s pass. Then, Sterling himself miscued from a Danilo cross-cum-shot and Patricio gathered easily.
As the half drew to a close, Wolves’ ventures forward became more frequent and Joao Moutinho fired over, latching onto a Jonny knock-down, with the best opening.
Half-time: Man City 0 Wolves 0
After the break City upped the intensity and substitute Bernardo Silva had a wicked effort deflected narrowly wide, before Ryan Bennett threw his body in the way of Gundogan’s effort.
Wolves’ first real chance of the half fell to Diogo Jota, who latched onto a clever Moutinho pass, only to be denied by a brave piece of Danilo defending. From the resulting corner, Ruben Neves lined up a spectacular effort but didn’t overly trouble Bravo.
Save of the night belonged to his opposite number Patricio, however. The Portuguese flew through the air to turn David Silva’s free-kick around the post at full stretch. That proved to be the final action of the half, with Wolves prevailing on penalties.
Full-time: Man City 0 Wolves 0 (2-3 on pens)
Wolves: Patricio, Traore (Sanderson), Bennett, Coady, Boly (Kilman), Jonny (Vinagre), Neves (Hong), Moutinho (Taylor), Dendoncker (Cundle), Gibbs-White (Ennis), Jota (Perry).
Unused subs: Ruddy, Norris, Miranda, Francis, Marques, Samuels.
Man City: Bravo, Danilo, Stones (Walker), Laporte (Angelino), Zinchenko (Harwood-Bellis), Rodri (Garcia), De Bruyne (Gundogan), Bernabe (Bernardo), A-Ocampo (Knight), Sane (Nmecha), Sterling (Silva).
Unused subs: Grimshaw, Touaizi, Pozo, Doyle, Diounkou.
