Japan gamers have a good time their 2-1 victory over Germany on the Khalifa Worldwide Stadium in Doha, Qatar. AP
Doha: Japan surprised Germany 2-1 of their World Cup opener on Wednesday, punishing the four-time champions for not taking their probabilities after they dominated the primary half.
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The German crew coated their mouths for the crew picture earlier than the match in a robust protest towards FIFA’s determination to ban rainbow-themed armbands.
Germany got here to Qatar beneath big strain to keep away from the catastrophe of 2018, after they did not make it out of the group stage in Russia as World Cup holders.
Hansi Flick’s aspect took the lead by way of a first-half penalty from Ilkay Gundogan and will have been out of sight after creating a bunch of probabilities.
However Japan held on and equalised by way of substitute Ritsu Doan within the seventy fifth minute.
Takuma Asano then accomplished a outstanding turnaround eight minutes later, smashing the ball dwelling to ship the Japanese bench and their boisterous followers wild.
So as to add to the storyline, each Doan and Asano play within the German Bundesliga.
“The gamers got here collectively as one crew, we ready properly and we caught in there, and that’s what led to the win,” stated Japan supervisor Hajime Moriyasu.
“A number of our followers have come to Doha they usually have been behind us pushing us on. I would like us to maintain a degree head after this and take a look at what we may have completed higher and look to win the subsequent match.”
Germany’s World Cup future is now as soon as once more on the road, with video games to come back in Group E towards Spain and Costa Rica.
“We made it too straightforward for Japan. I don’t know if a better purpose has ever been scored at a World Cup,” Gundogan informed Germany’s ARD TV community.
“This should not occur to us.”
Thomas Mueller informed Germany’s Magenta TV it was “ludicrous that we are actually standing right here with a defeat.”
Japan in the meantime are eyeing a spot within the knockout spherical after a dramatic comeback that scarcely seemed doable at half-time.
The Blue Samurai made a constructive begin, with Daizen Maeda placing the ball within the internet as early because the eighth minute just for the linesman to flag for offside.
German probabilities
Nevertheless it was to show a false daybreak for Japan as Antonio Ruediger headed previous the submit from a nook, earlier than Joshua Kimmich examined goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda, with Gundogan blasting the rebound over the bar.
Gundogan peppered the Japan purpose with pictures, with Gonda maintaining him out earlier than Maya Yoshida threw his physique in the best way of one other effort.
Gundogan put the Germans forward after they have been awarded a penalty when Gonda tripped David Raum, coolly slotting his kick down the center.
Jamal Musiala give a glimpse of his immense expertise when he turned and flashed a shot over the bar on the stroke of half-time.
Kai Havertz had the ball within the internet earlier than the interval, just for VAR to rule the purpose out for offside.
Musiala returned to torment Japan after the break, skipping by way of the defence earlier than blazing over.
The 19-year-old then turned supplier, laying the ball off for Gundogan to lash towards the submit.
Japan introduced on livewire forwards Asano and Kaoru Mitoma to attempt to inject some vitality into the four-times Asian champions.
However Germany saved up their strain and solely a string of last-ditch saves from Gonda prevented Japan from falling additional behind.
Hiroki Sakai had a golden probability to equalise however blazed wildly over the bar after Manuel Neuer had parried the ball into his path.
Doan confirmed him the way it was completed simply minutes later, changing after Neuer had palmed away Takumi Minamino’s effort.
Asano then put the Japanese followers in dreamland, racing away earlier than lashing dwelling a shot that Neuer was powerless to cease.
Germany threw everybody ahead in a determined seek for an equaliser nevertheless it was too little, too late.
“It wasn’t simply the gamers who began the sport but additionally the substitutes who got here on and helped us shut it out,” stated Moriyasu.
“We have been in a position to present our power. The gamers did what they wanted to get the win.”
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