Josip Stanisic strike helps Bayern Munich beat Kawasaki Frontale as Min-jae Kim debuts
A second-half goal from Josip Stanisic was enough to see Thomas Tuchel's Bayern Munich past Kawasaki Frontale in a pre-season friendly in front of a 40,000 plus crowd at Tokyo's National Stadium.
Bayern lost the first test of their Asian tour 2-1 to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City but the Bundesliga champions made amends here with a largely dominant display. All eyes were on debutant Min-jae Kim who was making his first appearance for the Bavarian giants since his recent move from Napoli. The South Korean appeared commanding in a decent opening 45-minute showing that saw Tuchel's team create most of the chances. On another day, young striker Mathys Tel might have had a first-half hat-trick but the French forward was not at his sharpest in front of goal. Visiting captain Joshua Kimmich also went close as Bayern increased the pressure on their hard-working hosts.
Croatia international Stanisic was among a raft of Bayern changes at the break and the 23-year-old full-back showed plenty of energy when bounding forward before exchanging passes with Tel and firing home the breakthourgh goal. At the other end, Yann Sommer pulled off a fine stop to keep his side in the lead. However, it was Bayern who looked the stronger of the teams after the restart and they should have added a second as the game progressed. Kingsley Coman went close before Arijon Ibrahimovic spurned a double opportunity to kill off Kawasaki's challenge. The misses mattered little in the end for a victorious Bayern side who next face Liverpool FC in Singapore on the next stage of their pre-season tour.
Watch:Bayern-mania in Japan
Match stats
Bayern won their record-extending 11th straight Bundesliga title, and 32nd overall, last season.
Gnabry was Bayern's 14-goal top scorer in the 2022/23 Bundesliga.
Jamal Musiala was the club's top provider, with 10 assists.
Including friendlies, Tuchel has overseen 13 matches in charge of Bayern (W6, D2, L5).
Bayern beat Urawa Red Diamonds 4-2 on their last trip to Japan, back in summer 2008.
In Tokyo, on 27 November 2001, Bayern won the Intercontinental Cup for the second time in the club's history by beating Boca Juniors 1-0.
Friendly Pre-season Pre-season National Stadium, Tokyo
90'
+ 3
Game over
The referee brings this pre-season friendly to a close. Bayern make up for their opening tour loss against Manchester City with a win against Kawasaki Frontale thanks to Josip Stanisic's second-half strike. Next up for Thomas Tuchel's men is a game against Liverpool FC in Singapore next Wednesday.
90'
+ 1
Gravenberch miss
Another Bayern chance is squandered. This time it's Krätzig who feeds Gravenberch but the Dutch midfielder can't convert.
87'
Ibra off target
Ibrahimovic goes close twice in quick succession and it's beginning to look like Bayern are going to have to settle for just the one goal today.
Solid entertainment
This friendly has provided fans with plenty of entertainment and Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel with enough to ponder as he prepares his team for the big Bundesliga kick-off soon.
It's very nearly a second for Bayern after some good link-up play between Gravenberch and Coman. It all leads to Ibrahimovic having a shot on goal but his effort goes wide.
72'
Coman rasper
Coman has a go from distance but his effort fizzes over the top. That wasn't too far away from Bayern.
65'
Kawasaki go close
The hosts should be level. Frans Krätzig allows Yamada a free sight of goal and the Kawasaki man blazes over with the goal at his mercy. A let off for the visitors.
62'
Tel makes way
That's all from Tel today. The 18-year-old will feel he could have fared better with his finishing here but he has plenty of time to put that right ahead of the start of the new season. On comes Arijon Ibrahimovic.
There's the opener for Bayern! A lovely goal with Stanisic picking up possession and running towards the target. He plays a one-two with Tel before applying a solid finish.
It hasn't really been happening for Mathys Tel in front of goal today. Another miss from the Frenchman, who must surely be wondering when it will come good.
47'
Top Sommer save
Yann Sommer has to be alert to deal with a long-range shot from the hosts and the Austrian has earned himself plenty of applause for keeping that one out.
46'
Bayern changes
Swaps aplenty for both sides at the break. Let's update you on the Bayern ones: Stanisic for Mazraoui; Gravenberch for Laimer; Pavlovic for Musiala; Goretzka for Kimmich; Krätzig for Davies; Upamecano for Kim Min-ja.
46'
Off we go again!
The second half is underway in Tokyo ...
10:43
Fan crossover!
Check out what's it's like to support both Bayern Munich AND Kawasaki Frontale in this fascinating Fan Crossover.
45'
+ 2
Half time
No goals at the break as the players head in for their respective half-time team talks.
45'
+ 2
Laimer booking
The visiting midfielder is shown a yellow card after pulling back his opponent.
Sane to Gnabry to Tel and this looks a goal all ends up. That's a poor finish from the young Bayern forward, however, the Frenchman shooting wide of the target.
43'
Kimmich sighter
Oooh, Kimmich is not far away with a shot from distance that zips past the upright. Bayern in the ascendency as we head towards half time.
38'
Pavard off target
Sane wins a corner on the right. The in-swinger is met by the head of Pavard, who nods over the top. This game is being played out amid a wonderful atmosphere.
30'
Tel again
Tel has been really lively in this game and he has just been denied by Jung in the Kawasaki goal.
28'
Min-jae in command
Some good defensive work from new man Min-jae inside the Bayern area prevents Segawa from making inroads. Confident stuff from the South Korean.
24'
Drinks break
Bayern have been the more dominant of the two sides and have created the better of the chances up until this point. Both sets of players take a deserved drinks break.
17'
Hosts change
Kawasaki are forced into an early change with Seko on for Wakizaka.
Again it's that man Tel. His curling effort from inside the ares looks in all the way, until the far post intervenes.
10'
FCB go close!
Thomas Tuchel's side almost hit the front through Tel. Laimer feeds Sane, who in turn cuts back for Tel whose effort is blocked. So very nearly an opening goal.
7'
Bayern warming up
Davies and Gnabry menace down the right and the pair's good work leads to a Bayern corner, which comes to nothing.
4'
On the Front-ale foot
Early pressure from the hosts and Yann Sommer has already been called into action. Bayern taking some time to settle in the opening stages.
1'
Peeeep!
The ball is rolling in Tokyo. We're underway in what promises to be a very exciting friendly in Japan.
Japanese characters
The Bayern player names on the backs of their shirts are written in Japanese characters. A nice touch from the record Bundesliga champions.
Kim debut!
What a day for recent Bayern signing Kim Min-jae! The former Napoli defender makes his first start for the Bavarians here today. Elsewehere, goalkeeper Sven Ulreich has had to pull out with a hip problem.
18-year-old French striker Mathys Tel scored Bayern's only goal in a 1-2 defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday. The youngster already has five Bundesliga goals to his name, which we can assure you is one to remember!
In-form Kawasaki
After a difficult start to the season, last year's J League runners-up, Kawasaki Frontale, have lost just one of their past ten matches in all competitions. Their squad mostly consists of Japanese players apart from four Brazilians, one Korean and Thailand captain Chanathip Songkrasin.
Five days in Tokyo
The Bundesliga champions began their pre-season activities in Tokyo on Monday and it's been quite a week with an Audi Football Summit, an away kit launch and Konrad Laimer going to a ramen restaurant. There has been time for some football too, of course, with Bayern testing English Premier League Champions Manchester City on Wednesday but beaten 1-2 in the end.
Welcome, irasshaimase!
Bayern contest their second pre-season friendly in Tokyo on Saturday against Kawasaki Frontale. We'll keep you up to date on all the goings on here!
