Wed Jan 15 17:08:18 UTC 2025: ## Japanese Players Shine, Struggle, and Recover in Bundesliga Weekend
**BERLIN** – Japanese players made headlines across the Bundesliga this weekend, with a mix of triumphs, setbacks, and recovery news. Twenty-year-old Shio Fukuda scored his first Bundesliga goal for Borussia Monchengladbach, netting a late consolation in a 5-1 loss to Wolfsburg. The goal, scored in the 89th minute, saw Fukuda expertly finish a counter-attack. Fukuda expressed his joy, stating his ambition to play alongside compatriot Ko Itakura in the Japanese national team.
Meanwhile, Shuto Machino continued his impressive form, scoring his seventh league goal of the season as Holstein Kiel stunned Borussia Dortmund 4-2. Machino’s early goal set the tone for a surprising victory, despite a late Dortmund comeback and a Kiel red card.
Elsewhere, Ritsu Doan scored his sixth goal of the season for Freiburg, but his team suffered a 4-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt. On the injury front, Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany offered a positive update on Hiroki Ito, stating the defender is expected to return in six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery for a metatarsal fracture.
Other Japanese players also featured in recent news, with Kyogo Furuhashi scoring his 10th league goal of the season for Celtic (for the fourth consecutive season), Anrie Chase aiming for a bigger impact in his breakthrough season with Stuttgart, and Fuki Yamada joining Portuguese club Nacional on loan.
First Piper 