FC Tokyo vs Borussia Dortmund LIVE | Pre-season friendly
(Courtesy : DFL/Bundesliga)
MUFG Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, gears up to host the club friendly fixture. German giants Borussia Dortmund and local Japanese outfit FC Tokyo are set for a thrilling contest.
Home team Tokyo FC finished second last season and will be keen to pull a big upset when they take on German outfit Borussia Dortmund. This will be their first game to kickstart their pre-season, and no better occasion to impress the local fans in the Japanese capital, Tokyo.
Aoaka are led by Japanese gaffer Rikizo Matsuhashi, who has previously led teams such as Albirex Niigata. Last season, Tokyo created a lot of chances and had one of the highest xG but failed to convert them into goals. They made some new signings in the form of Nicolai Vallys and Hayato Inamura from European leagues.
Talking about Borussia Dortmund, they finished second last season but were miles away from winning the Bundesliga. Since winning the Bundesliga back in the 2011-12 season under Jürgen Klopp, Dortmund has failed to win any major silverware, except making it to the UCL final three years ago.
Die Schwarzgelben are led by Niko Kovac, an experienced gaffer who has led teams like Bayern Munich, Monaco and Wolfsburg. A lot of big names like Adeyemi, Watjen and Ozcan have departed the club, and Dortmund haven’t made any major signings either.
Pre-season friendlies bring a relaxed and experimental rhythm where fitness matters more than the final score. The summer enters a phase where tactical drills and rising academy prospects take centre stage over wins. Ahead of the start of the new season, fans can expect a low-pressure game where every manager gets a chance to test their squad.
FC Tokyo vs Borussia Dortmund: Injury and Team News
Dortmund are set to miss some key players like Nico Schlotterbeck, who picked up an ankle injury during the FIFA World Cup. Apart from that, Kaua Prates and Emre Can will also be absent.
Tokyo FC do not have any injury concerns for this game.
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Hardik is a journalist and Senior Assistant Editor at Khel Now. A graduate of Maharaja Agrasen College, Delhi University, he brings a versatile skill set to the table with experience in writing, editing, and on-camera work. A passionate follower of Manchester United, Lewis Hamilton, and CM Punk. He combines his love for sports with sharp editorial insight.