Japanese defender Hiroki Ito made a memorable home debut for Bayern Munich on Sunday, scoring his first goal for the club in a dominant 4-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga. The win solidified Bayern’s position at the top of the league with 58 points, eight points clear of their closest rivals.
The match at Allianz Arena saw Michael Olise open the scoring in first-half stoppage time with a precise finish from a low cross. Ito doubled Bayern’s lead in the 61st minute, volleying home with his weaker right foot after a corner kick found him unmarked. Jamal Musiala added a stunning solo goal in the 83rd minute, and Serge Gnabry sealed the win with a late strike through the legs of Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.
In Spain, Japanese star Takefusa Kubo continued his impressive form for Real Sociedad, scoring his fifth goal of the La Liga season in a 3-0 home win over Leganes. Kubo received the ball near the right touchline, nutmegged a defender, and dribbled into the box before slotting the ball into the far corner with a slight deflection in the 48th minute. Earlier, Arsen Zakharyan had given Sociedad the lead with a powerful 20-meter strike in the 12th minute, while Jon Ander Olasagasti added a third with a volley off the crossbar in the 80th minute.
Meanwhile, in England, Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo came on as a 74th-minute substitute for Liverpool in their crucial 2-0 away win over Manchester City. The victory extended Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points, although they have played one more game than their rivals.
The weekend showcased the growing influence of Japanese players in European football, with Ito, Kubo, and Endo all making significant contributions to their respective teams.
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