Dortmund do their bit for Japan relief effort

Newly crowned Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund have staged a charity match in aid of the victims of the recent Japanese earthquake.

Most of Dortmund’s stars turned out for the game, played at the home of neighbours Duisburg.

Dortmund’s Japanese midfield star Shinji Kagawa played for the opposition team, which was made up of Japanese players currently playing in the Bundesliga, and German players who’ve played in Japan.

Around 10,000 fans turned out for the game, helping to raise more than a million euros for the relief fund, with the help of club sponsors.

Kagawa played a key role in helping Dortmund to their first German title since 2002 this season.

Head coach Jurgen Klopp said his presence was key factor behind the decision to set up the friendly game which ended 2-1 in favour of Dortmund.

“There was a real need. Of course if you have a direct connection with it then it you feel it more strongly,” Klopp said.

“We thought it was terrible. It was terrible, but more so because we have Shinji (Kagawa). We were really worried about him and about how his family was. We were involved in a different way.”

Money raised from the game will go to the charity Save the Children, in aid of those in need in Japan.

The earthquake and subsequent tsunami on March 11 left nearly 25,000 people dead or missing in the north of the country.