The DFL is continuing to pursue its strategic overseas marketing policy through a further international appearance in Japan: VfL Bochum 1848 will take on the Yokohama Marinos in a friendly on 31. Juli 2008.
VfL Bochum 1848 is especially popular in Japan because Shinji Ono, voted “Asian footballer of the year” in 2002, is one of the top stars of Japanese football. That made the Bochum club the preferred guests in Japan.
The Yokohama Marinos are curently in ninth position in the J-League and were Japanese champions in 1995, 2003 und 2004. The game will be played in the Nissan Stadium, where the scene for the World Championship finals in 2002.
Big demand for Bundesliga in Japan
“We are happy at the high level of demand from Japan. Our co-operation with the J-League is working extremely well and is contributing to further improving the Bundesliga's strategic position in Asia,” says DFL Managing Director Tom Bender.
“Since we signed Shinji Ono in the middle of last season, there's been huge interest from the Japanese media. Japanese journalists now have a fixed spot in our press box. press,” says Ansgar Schwenken, a member of the board of VfL Bochum 1848. “We're exploiting our popularity to give VfL Bochum 1848 and Shinji Ono an international profile on behalf of the club and the Bundesliga.”
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