Two emotional substitutions against Al-Hilal

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FC Red Bull Salzburg

·23. Juni 2025

Two emotional substitutions against Al-Hilal

A comeback and a debut

Ever since 27 October 2024, Maurits Kjaergaard has been waiting to appear again for our Red Bulls. An ankle injury sidelined the Dane from then all the time until he emerged in the 77th minute in the Club World Cup match against Al-Hilal.

As if that wasn't enough, his appearance from the bench was the 100th competitive match Maurits has played for our Red Bulls!

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The 21-year-old wasn't the only one overjoyed to be appearing, as the whole team celebrated the moment. Karim Konate, who is still working towards his own comeback, recorded the moment on a video and shared it in our team chat, as Thomas Letsch revealed afterwards.

I am delighted for him, as he has suffered a lot. We thought the first World Cup match was still too early, but this was a good moment for it. He is a very important player for us with his style and footballing quality.

Thomas Letsch, head coach

Sota has arrived!

It was also a special evening for Sota Kitano, as our new signing from Japan made his first start. The 20-year-old attacker replaced Oscar Gloukh as a substitute in the 65th minute and helped boost our Red Bulls in the final 30 minutes - particularly with his pressing. In an interview after the match, the debutant was pleased but also eager for more, as not everything went his way.

I am very happy to have made my debut today. I am not entirely satisfied with my own performance. I hope next time I can help the team to win. I would like to perform the best I possibly can.

Sota Kitano

The showing against the stars of Al-Hilal has definitely proved this team can achieve great things with their superb mindset. Can they get a result in the final group stage match against Real Madrid? We will see …

Clash against Real Madrid live and free on DAZN

We have at least one more World Cup match ahead of us when we face Real Madrid on Thursday evening in Philadelphia (21:00 local time, 03:00 Friday morning Austrian time). Points would help our bid to make the last 16, but if Pachuca can do us a favour against Al-Hilal, we will be there regardless. DAZN will broadcast that game, like all others at the Club World Cup, live and for free. No subscription is needed, just an account.

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