Darmstadt 98 drew 0-0 with English second-tier side FC Portsmouth in their final pre-season test, failing to find the net despite chances at both ends in front of 6,325 fans at the Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
The match’s loudest moment came when newly signed South Korean striker Ho-Jae Lee was introduced as a substitute just over an hour into the game. The home fans rose to greet the 25-year-old international, who had only recently been signed from South Korea.
Coach Florian Kohfeldt fielded largely his strongest available side, but forwards Fynn Lakenmacher and Lance Duijvestijn spurned chances in the first half. Yosuke Furukawa also missed late on, while goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen prevented an own goal from defender Patric Pfeiffer near the end.
Earlier the same day, Darmstadt beat Dutch second-division side Heracles Almelo 2-1 in a private training-ground fixture, with youth player Manolo Merx and Lee both on the scoresheet.
Darmstadt open their second-division season at home against Holstein Kiel the following Saturday at 14:00.
