Pre-Match Report

Old friends, new talent – full throttle in Tokyo

While Borussia Dortmund is in the midst of preseason preparations and looking forward to the return of its national team players, this is FC Tokyo’s final preseason match before the start of the season. On Saturday, the two teams will face off at the National Stadium in Tokyo (kickoff at 19:00 JST, 12:00 CEST, live on BVB-TV, Sky, and DAZN). Just the day before, Maximilian Beier was reunited with a former teammate.

The sixth day in Japan, the second in Tokyo. BVB coach Niko Kovac used the press conference on the day before the friendly match to express his gratitude for the warm welcome in Asia: “We’re in a truly wonderful country with wonderful people. Although we’re here for sports, we keep having the opportunity to get to know the culture, the people, and the country. It’s fun. Japan is worth every trip.”

Inside the National Stadium, which seats 68,000 spectators, he also focuses on the sporting aspect of the trip to Japan: “We’re here as players and want to win games. Above all, we want to put in strong performances. We can see how strong the Japanese league is and how many top-tier players compete there. We’ll take the game seriously.” Rikizo Matsuhashi, coach of FC Tokyo, adds: “We’re really looking forward to tomorrow’s game. This is an opponent you don’t get to face very often – a very formidable opponent.”

National Team Players to See Action

Kovac has already announced that the five World Cup participants who haven’t yet played in any friendly matches will be back in the squad. He’s promising 45 minutes of playing time – and perhaps even more – for Felix Nmecha, Waldemar Anton, Maximilian Beier, Daniel Svensson, and Carney Chukwuemeka. In the absence of Julian Ryerson, who is still on vacation, Beier will play as the right wingback.

Reunion with a Former Teammate

For Maxi Beier, the press conference marked a special reunion: He played alongside Tokyo’s captain, Sei Muroya, at Hannover 96 from 2021 to 2023. “We got along really well back then. He’s a very good right back who can be quite aggressive. I’ll try to put a little pressure on him and make life as difficult as possible for him,” Beier announced with a smile. Muroya recalls: “Maxi was still a teenager, but you could already tell he had a lot of talent. It’s no surprise that he’s come this far. But I’ll try to make sure he doesn’t get past me tomorrow. I know from my time in Germany what kind of club Dortmund is, and I don’t want to lose.”
Christina Reinke

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BVB\u2019s Youth Team Kicks Off","repo:modifyDate":"2026-07-31T08:00:00Z"}},"displayTag":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayTag","title":"Display Department","multiValue":true,"value":[""],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"metadescription":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"metadescription","title":"Meta Description","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"linkTarget":"_self","link":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/7/31/Derby-DFB-Cup-Top-Tournament-BVBs-Youth-Team-Kicks-Off.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/07/31/u-vorschau/U23-BVB.jpg"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"experience":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"experience","title":"Experience Fragment","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"appExport":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"appExport","title":"App Export (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"showDate":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"calendar","name":"showDate","title":"Show Date and Time (CET)","multiValue":false,"value":"31.07.26 08:00 Z","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"After weeks of preparation, Borussia Dortmund\u2019s first youth teams are kicking off the new competitive season. The U23s will open their Regionalliga West campaign with a derby against VfL Bochum II, while the U19s face a crucial match in the DFB Cup. The U17s are also preparing for their league opener next week at a high-caliber tournament in Berlin.<\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"After weeks of preparation, Borussia Dortmund\u2019s first youth teams are kicking off the new competitive season. The U23s will open their Regionalliga West campaign with a derby against VfL Bochum II, while the U19s face a crucial match in the DFB Cup. The U17s are also preparing for their league opener next week at a high-caliber tournament in Berlin.","exportedType":"text/html"},"scheduledPush":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"scheduledPush","title":"Scheduled Push Notification?","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"disableAdsOnNewsPage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"disableAdsOnNewsPage","title":"Disable Ads on News Page","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"text":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"text","html":"<h2>Youth Matches at a Glance<\/b> \n<\/h2>\nU23:<\/b> VfL Bochum II \u2013 BVB (Regionalliga West): 1 August, 2026, 2:00 p.m. (Mondpalast Arena Herne, Tickets: <a href=\"https://www.ticket-onlineshop.com/ols/vflbochum1848/de/u23/channel/shop/areaplan/venue/event/685029\">VfL Bochum Online Ticket Shop<\/a>)<\/p>\nU19:<\/b> BVB \u2013 Holstein Kiel (DFB Cup): 1 August, 2026, 11:00 a.m. (BVB Youth Academy)<\/p>\nU17:<\/b> BVB vs. Union Berlin, Manchester City, and FC Copenhagen (tournament in Berlin): 1\u20132 September, 2026, starting at 10:15 a.m. (Stadion An der Wuhlheide in Berlin)<\/p>\n<h2>U23: A \u201cspecial game\u201d for Rios right off the bat<\/b><\/h2>\nHead coach Daniel Rios\u2019s team kicks off the new Regionalliga season with an exciting derby. Last season\u2019s fifth-place finisher travels to face local rivals VfL Bochum II, who finished the previous season in 13th place. Much will depend on how quickly the largely revamped team finds its rhythm and how the team compensates for the absence of Silas Ostrzinski, Arne Wessels, Takato Yamamoto, and Ayman Azhil, who have traveled to Japan with the First team. Veteran Connor Krempicki, who was signed from 1. FC Magdeburg just this week, is also likely to be part of the squad given the current thin roster. Encouraging signs include the successful preseason friendly against Jong FC Utrecht (5\u20131) as well as the two derbies against Bochum\u2019s U23 team from last season, which BVB won (2\u20131 and 4\u20131). Rios looks ahead with optimism: \u201cWe\u2019ve worked really well over the past few weeks, adapted well to the situation, and are looking forward to the season. It\u2019s a special game because it\u2019s a derby\u2014even our new signings can feel that.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>U19: Cup Match to Kick Off the Season<\/b><\/h2>\nThe U19s will kick off the season with a knockout match. One week before the start of the preliminary round of the DFB Youth League against Rot-Weiß Oberhausen on 9 August, coach Felix Hirschnagl\u2019s team will face Holstein Kiel on Saturday morning in the first round of the DFB Cup. Last season, BVB faced Kiel twice in the main round of the U19 Youth League, with the Black and Yellows winning both matches (3\u20132, 6\u20133). For the cup match at the home youth academy, the following players\u2014who traveled to Japan\u2014will be absent: Enzo Dos Santos, Tom Faust, Miguel Adje, Romeo Ritter, and Jan-Luca Riedl. \u201cWe haven\u2019t been able to work with the full squad for 14 days and have to improvise a lot in training. The situation is what it is, and we\u2019ll accept it,\u201d said Hirschnagl. Last weekend\u2019s doubleheader against Bayer Leverkusen (0\u20131) and Eintracht Frankfurt (1\u20134) provided the latest insights.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2>U17: High-Profile Tournament as a Dress Rehearsal<\/b><\/h2>\nUnlike the U23 and U19 teams, the U17s do not have a competitive match scheduled for the first weekend in August. The star-studded Youngster Cup in Berlin will serve as a dress rehearsal for the start of the preliminary round of the Youth League on August 8 against Wuppertaler SV. In the preliminary round on Saturday, coach Karsten Gorges\u2019 team will face host Union Berlin (10:15 a.m.), Manchester City (11:15 a.m.), and FC Copenhagen (1:00 p.m.). The preliminary round matches (Saturday) and final matches (Sunday) will take place at the An der Wuhlheide Stadium. The matches for fifth through eighth place will be held at the Oberspree Training Center. This is the sixth edition of the tournament, in which BVB finished in fifth place last year.<\/p>\n<\/b><\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"<h2>Youth Matches at a Glance<\/b> \n<\/h2>\nU23:<\/b> VfL Bochum II \u2013 BVB (Regionalliga West): 1 August, 2026, 2:00 p.m. (Mondpalast Arena Herne, Tickets: <a href=\"https://www.ticket-onlineshop.com/ols/vflbochum1848/de/u23/channel/shop/areaplan/venue/event/685029\">VfL Bochum Online Ticket Shop<\/a>)<\/p>\nU19:<\/b> BVB \u2013 Holstein Kiel (DFB Cup): 1 August, 2026, 11:00 a.m. (BVB Youth Academy)<\/p>\nU17:<\/b> BVB vs. Union Berlin, Manchester City, and FC Copenhagen (tournament in Berlin): 1\u20132 September, 2026, starting at 10:15 a.m. (Stadion An der Wuhlheide in Berlin)<\/p>\n<h2>U23: A \u201cspecial game\u201d for Rios right off the bat<\/b><\/h2>\nHead coach Daniel Rios\u2019s team kicks off the new Regionalliga season with an exciting derby. Last season\u2019s fifth-place finisher travels to face local rivals VfL Bochum II, who finished the previous season in 13th place. Much will depend on how quickly the largely revamped team finds its rhythm and how the team compensates for the absence of Silas Ostrzinski, Arne Wessels, Takato Yamamoto, and Ayman Azhil, who have traveled to Japan with the First team. Veteran Connor Krempicki, who was signed from 1. FC Magdeburg just this week, is also likely to be part of the squad given the current thin roster. Encouraging signs include the successful preseason friendly against Jong FC Utrecht (5\u20131) as well as the two derbies against Bochum\u2019s U23 team from last season, which BVB won (2\u20131 and 4\u20131). Rios looks ahead with optimism: \u201cWe\u2019ve worked really well over the past few weeks, adapted well to the situation, and are looking forward to the season. It\u2019s a special game because it\u2019s a derby\u2014even our new signings can feel that.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>U19: Cup Match to Kick Off the Season<\/b><\/h2>\nThe U19s will kick off the season with a knockout match. One week before the start of the preliminary round of the DFB Youth League against Rot-Weiß Oberhausen on 9 August, coach Felix Hirschnagl\u2019s team will face Holstein Kiel on Saturday morning in the first round of the DFB Cup. Last season, BVB faced Kiel twice in the main round of the U19 Youth League, with the Black and Yellows winning both matches (3\u20132, 6\u20133). For the cup match at the home youth academy, the following players\u2014who traveled to Japan\u2014will be absent: Enzo Dos Santos, Tom Faust, Miguel Adje, Romeo Ritter, and Jan-Luca Riedl. \u201cWe haven\u2019t been able to work with the full squad for 14 days and have to improvise a lot in training. The situation is what it is, and we\u2019ll accept it,\u201d said Hirschnagl. Last weekend\u2019s doubleheader against Bayer Leverkusen (0\u20131) and Eintracht Frankfurt (1\u20134) provided the latest insights.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2>U17: High-Profile Tournament as a Dress Rehearsal<\/b><\/h2>\nUnlike the U23 and U19 teams, the U17s do not have a competitive match scheduled for the first weekend in August. The star-studded Youngster Cup in Berlin will serve as a dress rehearsal for the start of the preliminary round of the Youth League on August 8 against Wuppertaler SV. In the preliminary round on Saturday, coach Karsten Gorges\u2019 team will face host Union Berlin (10:15 a.m.), Manchester City (11:15 a.m.), and FC Copenhagen (1:00 p.m.). The preliminary round matches (Saturday) and final matches (Sunday) will take place at the An der Wuhlheide Stadium. The matches for fifth through eighth place will be held at the Oberspree Training Center. This is the sixth edition of the tournament, in which BVB finished in fifth place last year.<\/p>\n<\/b><\/p>\n","exportedType":"text/html"},"id":"editable-6a9c13e012","prio":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"prio","title":"Prio (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"headline":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"headline","title":"Headline","multiValue":false,"value":"Derby, DFB Cup, Top Tournament! 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{"subCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"subCategory","title":"Departments","multiValue":true,"value":"Professionals","exportedType":"text/plain"},"dataLayer":{"editable-3304a94386":{"dc:description":"Borussia Dortmund will play its second and final friendly match during the BVB Evonik Japan Tour on 1 August (12:00 CEST, live on BVB-TV, Sky, and DAZN) against FC Tokyo. The Tokyo-based club is one of the country\u2019s best-known teams and has long been synonymous with soccer enthusiasm, passion, and consistency in the metropolis of Tokyo.<\/p>\n","xdm:linkURL":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/7/31/What-makes-FC-Tokyo-so-special.html","@type":"/apps/bvbweb/components/newssliderelements/editable","dc:title":"What makes FC Tokyo so special ","repo:modifyDate":"2026-07-30T19:25:00Z"}},"displayTag":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayTag","title":"Display Department","multiValue":true,"value":[""],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"metadescription":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"metadescription","title":"Meta Description","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"linkTarget":"_self","link":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/7/31/What-makes-FC-Tokyo-so-special.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/07/31/fc-tokyo-portraet/fc-tokyo.jpg"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"experience":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"experience","title":"Experience Fragment","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"appExport":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"appExport","title":"App Export (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"showDate":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"calendar","name":"showDate","title":"Show Date and Time (CET)","multiValue":false,"value":"30.07.26 19:25 Z","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"Borussia Dortmund will play its second and final friendly match during the BVB Evonik Japan Tour on 1 August (12:00 CEST, live on BVB-TV, Sky, and DAZN) against FC Tokyo. The Tokyo-based club is one of the country\u2019s best-known teams and has long been synonymous with soccer enthusiasm, passion, and consistency in the metropolis of Tokyo.<\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Borussia Dortmund will play its second and final friendly match during the BVB Evonik Japan Tour on 1 August (12:00 CEST, live on BVB-TV, Sky, and DAZN) against FC Tokyo. The Tokyo-based club is one of the country\u2019s best-known teams and has long been synonymous with soccer enthusiasm, passion, and consistency in the metropolis of Tokyo.","exportedType":"text/html"},"scheduledPush":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"scheduledPush","title":"Scheduled Push Notification?","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"disableAdsOnNewsPage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"disableAdsOnNewsPage","title":"Disable Ads on News Page","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"text":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"text","html":"<h2>Soccer in the Heart of a Global City<\/b> \n<\/h2>\nWith a population of around 37 million, the Tokyo metropolitan area is one of the largest metropolitan regions in the world. In the heart of this cosmopolitan city, FC Tokyo has established itself as one of the most popular soccer clubs in Japan. The club plays its home games at Ajinomoto Stadium, which seats just under 50,000 spectators. On match days, the club\u2019s blue-and-red colors dominate the cityscape around the stadium and have earned the club the nickname \u201cAoaka\u201d (Japanese for blue-red). For this friendly match, however, the fourth-place team in the one-time transitional league \u201cJ1 100 Year Vision League\u201d will host BVB at the National Stadium. One week after the match, FC Tokyo will kick off the new J1 League season against FC Machida Zelvia. <\/p>\n<h2>Former Inter players are the biggest names  <\/b><\/h2>\nOn the field, FC Tokyo has continued to develop steadily in recent years since returning to the J1 League in 2012. Time and again, the club has produced players who later became mainstays of the Japanese national team or made the leap to Europe. The most prominent example is Takefusa Kubo. The attacking player once transferred from FC Tokyo to Real Madrid and is now one of the best attacking players in the Spanish league while playing for Real Sociedad. He has already played more than 230 games in La Liga. <\/p>\nAmong FC Tokyo\u2019s best-known players today are Brazilian striker Marcelo Ryan, homegrown talent Kota Tawaratsumida, and winger Kein Sato. The 25-year-old ventured abroad to play for Werder Bremen, but was unable to establish himself at Osterdeich in 2024 and eventually returned to his home country. Sei Muroya transferred from FC Tokyo to Hannover 96 in 2020 and played there for two years alongside Maxi Beier. He returned to Tokyo in the summer of 2025.<\/p>\nAnother particularly big name in Japanese soccer is Yuto Nagatomo, who, at 39, is the oldest player on the team. The left back has 146 senior international caps to his name and can look back on a distinguished career in Europe\u2019s top leagues. He played for Inter Milan and Galatasaray, among others, and won several major titles during his time at those clubs. Nagatomo remains one of the country\u2019s most famous soccer players to this day.<\/p>\n<img data-assetref=\"nagatomo-1785234571514\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/07/31/fc-tokyo-portraet/nagatomo.jpg\"><\/p>\n<h2>A Compelling Friendly Opponent with High Ambitions<\/b><\/h2>\nUnder head coach Rikizo Matsuhashi, FC Tokyo ranks among the strongest teams in the J1 League. The Blue-and-Reds rely on bold possession-based soccer, fast-paced build-up play, and the strategic integration of their own young talents. <\/p>\nBy the way: Since its founding 28 years ago, FC Tokyo has taken a different path than many of its competitors in Japanese soccer. Instead of fanciful names or a club mascot, the capital city club emphasizes a down-to-earth and authentic image. <\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"<h2>Soccer in the Heart of a Global City<\/b> \n<\/h2>\nWith a population of around 37 million, the Tokyo metropolitan area is one of the largest metropolitan regions in the world. In the heart of this cosmopolitan city, FC Tokyo has established itself as one of the most popular soccer clubs in Japan. The club plays its home games at Ajinomoto Stadium, which seats just under 50,000 spectators. On match days, the club\u2019s blue-and-red colors dominate the cityscape around the stadium and have earned the club the nickname \u201cAoaka\u201d (Japanese for blue-red). For this friendly match, however, the fourth-place team in the one-time transitional league \u201cJ1 100 Year Vision League\u201d will host BVB at the National Stadium. One week after the match, FC Tokyo will kick off the new J1 League season against FC Machida Zelvia. <\/p>\n<h2>Former Inter players are the biggest names  <\/b><\/h2>\nOn the field, FC Tokyo has continued to develop steadily in recent years since returning to the J1 League in 2012. Time and again, the club has produced players who later became mainstays of the Japanese national team or made the leap to Europe. The most prominent example is Takefusa Kubo. The attacking player once transferred from FC Tokyo to Real Madrid and is now one of the best attacking players in the Spanish league while playing for Real Sociedad. He has already played more than 230 games in La Liga. <\/p>\nAmong FC Tokyo\u2019s best-known players today are Brazilian striker Marcelo Ryan, homegrown talent Kota Tawaratsumida, and winger Kein Sato. The 25-year-old ventured abroad to play for Werder Bremen, but was unable to establish himself at Osterdeich in 2024 and eventually returned to his home country. Sei Muroya transferred from FC Tokyo to Hannover 96 in 2020 and played there for two years alongside Maxi Beier. He returned to Tokyo in the summer of 2025.<\/p>\nAnother particularly big name in Japanese soccer is Yuto Nagatomo, who, at 39, is the oldest player on the team. The left back has 146 senior international caps to his name and can look back on a distinguished career in Europe\u2019s top leagues. He played for Inter Milan and Galatasaray, among others, and won several major titles during his time at those clubs. Nagatomo remains one of the country\u2019s most famous soccer players to this day.<\/p>\n<img data-assetref=\"nagatomo-1785234571514\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/07/31/fc-tokyo-portraet/nagatomo.jpg\"><\/p>\n<h2>A Compelling Friendly Opponent with High Ambitions<\/b><\/h2>\nUnder head coach Rikizo Matsuhashi, FC Tokyo ranks among the strongest teams in the J1 League. The Blue-and-Reds rely on bold possession-based soccer, fast-paced build-up play, and the strategic integration of their own young talents. <\/p>\nBy the way: Since its founding 28 years ago, FC Tokyo has taken a different path than many of its competitors in Japanese soccer. Instead of fanciful names or a club mascot, the capital city club emphasizes a down-to-earth and authentic image. <\/p>\n","exportedType":"text/html"},"id":"editable-3304a94386","prio":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"prio","title":"Prio (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"headline":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"headline","title":"Headline","multiValue":false,"value":"What makes FC Tokyo so special ","exportedType":"text/plain"},"displayOnHomeMainstage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayOnHomeMainstage","title":"Display in Main Stage on Homepage","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"author":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"author","title":"Author","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"teaserType":"relatedContent","match":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"content-fragment","name":"match","html":"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2026_2027/testspiel/fc-tokyo---borussia-dortmund<\/p>","title":"Related Match","multiValue":false,"value":"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2026_2027/testspiel/fc-tokyo---borussia-dortmund","exportedType":"text/plain"},"externalId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"externalId","title":"External ID (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"displayOnHome":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"displayOnHome","title":"Display in News Wall on Homepage","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"url":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"url","title":"Vanity URL (LEAVE EMPTY FOR AUTOMATIC VANITY URL. 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