Dortmund subs spotted doing something ‘never before seen' during Club World Cup clash against Mamelodi Sundowns
BORUSSIA DORTMUND'S substitutes spent the first half of their Club World Cup clash with Mamelodi Sundowns watching from the dressing room.
The Group F encounter was played in scorching heat at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.
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Dortmund boss Niko Kovac was concerned going into the match, even warning members of the press to bring sunscreen and hats.
And with the dugouts uncovered at TQL Stadium, the German side took the unusual decision to leave their subs back in the dressing room for the first half.
Posting a picture of their players taking in the action on a screen, Dortmund wrote: " Our subs watched the first half from inside the locker room to avoid the blazing sun at TQL Stadium – never seen that before, but in this heat, it absolutely makes sense."
The match kicked off at 12pm local time, with the temperature reaching 32 degrees.
Dortmund laboured to a 4-3 victory, with new boy Jobe Bellingham among the goals.
After the game, Kovac admitted: "I'm sweating like I've just come out of a sauna.
"It was tough going for both teams, but the opposition are used to it.
"We certainly didn't give our best performance, but that wasn't possible today."
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TQL Stadium is NOT one of the 16 stadiums to have been selected for next year's World Cup.
Dortmund will have another there next week, however, with their clash against Ulsan Hyundai set to be played there there on Wednesday.
Jobe Bellingham on target as Dortmund beat Sundowns
This summer's Club World Cup has already been disrupted by adverse weather conditions, with four games having been delayed.
Most recently, the clash between Benfica and Auckland City finished more than two hours behind schedule.
Stormy conditions have also caused delays during Pachuca vs Salzburg, Palmeiras vs Al-Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns vs Ulsan Hyundai.
The delays have occurred all over the country, with these games having taken place in Cincinnati, New Jersey and Orlando.
A heatwave is expected to hit the US next week.
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