Football: Shio Fukuda opens Bundesliga account in M'gladbach defeat

Japanese 20-year-old striker Shio Fukuda opened his German Bundesliga account on Tuesday after netting Borussia Monchengladbach's only goal in their 5-1 defeat away to Wolfsburg.

Introduced in the 70th minute, the goal came in the 89th when he received a return pass from Alassane Plea on a counter and buried a first-time shot through the legs of Kamil Grabara for the visitors' late consolation at Volkswagen Arena.

"I've had a tough time getting to this point. I was really happy," said Fukuda, who was congratulated by teammate and compatriot Ko Itakura after the goal.

Borussia Monchengladbach's Shio Fukuda (R) vies for the ball during a German Bundesliga football match against VfL Wolfsburg on Jan. 14, 2025, in Wolfsburg, Germany. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

"I want to play with Ko in the national team as soon as I can. I'll make a fresh start (after this goal) looking to develop further."

Fukuda joined Monchengladbach two years ago straight from high school in his native Kagoshima Prefecture. He made five appearances last season in the German top tier but only made his first appearance of this campaign on Saturday.

Forward Shuto Machino scored his seventh league goal this term as struggling newcomers Holstein Kiel stunned Borussia Dortmund 4-2 at home to secure a precious three points.

Holstein Kiel's Shuto Machino celebrates after scoring in the first half of a German Bundesliga football match against Borussia Dortmund on Jan. 14, 2025, in Kiel, Germany. (Kyodo)

Machino curled high into the net from just inside the box for the 27th-minute opener as Kiel led 3-0 at the break. Two goals from the visitors and a red card for Kiel in the final 20 minutes made for a nervy ending, but Fiete Arp wrapped things up for Kiel by finding an empty net from distance in stoppage time.

Freiburg attacker Ritsu Doan steered in his sixth goal of the campaign with a 37th-minute opener, but the visitors were soundly beaten 4-1 by Eintracht Frankfurt.

Freiburg's Ritsu Doan (R) is pictured in action during a German Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt in Frankfurt on Jan. 14, 2025. (Kyodo)

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany, meanwhile, said he hopes to have Japan defender Hiroki Ito back in the squad in six to eight weeks' time. The summer signing from Stuttgart is yet to play for Bayern after suffering a metatarsal fracture during the preseason in late July and undergoing further surgery in November.

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