Mainz 05 is set to welcome its Asian national players, Jaesung Lee and Kaishu Sano, for their Bundesliga home match against TSG Hoffenheim on Friday evening at 20:30. Both key players were on international duty during the recent international break but were rested in their second matches—a decision made collaboratively by the club and the respective national teams.
Head coach Bo Henriksen shared insights during a press conference on Thursday, highlighting the proactive communication with the national associations of South Korea and Japan. He noted, “Yes, we spoke with the federations—especially given the situation we are in. It was evident how many games both players had participated in recently, and those were only friendlies for them.”
Thanks to the effective cooperation with the national associations, Lee and Sano returned to Mainz on Wednesday, fully prepared for the upcoming match against Hoffenheim. Henriksen expressed his confidence, stating, “Both returned yesterday and are 100 percent ready for tomorrow. That is crucial for us.”
This strategic collaboration is not only beneficial for the players’ performance but also strengthens the bond between the clubs and national teams, ensuring that players maintain their fitness while representing their countries. With Lee and Sano back in contention, Mainz 05 fans have much to look forward to as their team gears up for an important fixture in the Bundesliga.