Sturm Graz 5-1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima – International Club Friendly, July 11, 2026, 23:00 local time.

Sturm Graz delivered a dominant display to crush Japanese side Sanfrecce Hiroshima 5-1 in an international club friendly. The Austrian Bundesliga side showed their class with a first‑half blitz that effectively ended the contest before the interval. For Sanfrecce Hiroshima, the match served as valuable preparation but exposed defensive frailties against a physically imposing European opponent.

Match overview

The match was played at a neutral venue (likely in Europe during pre‑season). Sturm Graz took the lead in the 12th minute through a powerful header from a corner. They doubled their advantage 20 minutes later when a fast break ended with a low drive past the Hiroshima goalkeeper. Two more goals followed before half‑time – a long‑range strike and a tap‑in after a defensive mix‑up – making it 4-0 at the break. Sanfrecce pulled one back early in the second half with a well‑taken free‑kick from just outside the box. However, Sturm Graz restored their four‑goal cushion with a fifth in the 70th minute, finishing off a flowing team move.

Tactical story

Sturm Graz pressed high and disrupted Sanfrecce’s rhythm from the start. Their physicality in duels and quick transitions overwhelmed the Japanese side, who struggled to build from the back. Honda and watch the space. The Hiroshiman team improved in the second half with shorter passes and movement, but Sturm’s defensive shape was solid. The friendly allowed both coaches to rotate heavily, with Sturm making six substitutions in the second half.

Standout players

• Sturm Graz forward (No. 17): Scored two goals and set up another. His pace and direct running were a constant threat.
• Sanfrecce Hiroshima midfielder (No. 8): The only bright spot for the visitors – his set‑piece goal was a moment of quality, and he tried to orchestrate attacks against the tide.

Context

Both clubs used this fixture as part of their summer preparations. Sturm Graz will face a tough Austrian Bundesliga campaign, while Sanfrecce Hiroshima are in the middle of their J1 League season. The result highlights the gap in physical intensity between the leagues, but Sanfrecce will take positives from their second‑half performance.