Germany 1-2 Japan
Germany’s World Cup 2022 campaign has started disastrously after Hansi Flick’s side was cut down to size by the Samurai Blue.
The Europeans went out of the 2018 World Cup at the group stage and that was a national embarrassment so, after leading for much of the game, to be hit by a late double strike spells trouble for the 2014 Champions. Ilkay Gundogan had put the Germans in charge from the penalty spot but late strikes from Ritsu Doan and Takumo Asano made it a night to remember for Japan.
The other European big guns have started well with some impressive World Cup 2022 results; after England blew Iran away 6-2, the Netherlands overcame a strong Senegal team 2-0 and France put in a professional performance to beat Australia 4-1.
For Germany this was a catastrophe.
Highlights of the game
Japan came into this match with a six match winning run in qualification and one of their stars, flying wingback Takeriro Tomiyasu, has been having a superb domestic campaign with Premier League leaders Arsenal but he started this game on the bench, which shows just how strong this Japan side is. And they gave Germany a serious warning on just seven minutes when Hiroki Ito sped down the right wing and crossed for Daizen Maeda who swept the ball home at the far post, but the offside flag saved the Germans.
But Germany stepped up a gear to dominate the rest of the first half. Antonio Rudiger met a corner with a firm header which landed just wide, though Japan were always going to be dangerous on the break. The Germany squad has a heavy FC Bayern presence and that makes them a coherent side on any day and also adds exciting quality, with Jamal Musiala tormenting the Japan defence and Thomas Muller linking up play.
But it was a Manchester City man who gave them the lead on 33 minutes, soon after he’d had a shot charged down. Ilkay Gundogan is the go to man for penalties and when David Raum was tripped in the penalty area the Sky Blue star planted the spot kick home.
After a scintillating move involving Musiala and Muller, Kai Havertz had the ball in the net again just before the break but he was offside and the teams went in at 1-0.
Japan made a change at the break, bringing on Tomiyasu to replace Takefuso Kuba and the underdogs looked dangerous from the off as Daichi Kamada saw his shot deflected over the bar. But the balance of play remained with Germany and they should really have been out of sight, midway through the half. Musiala showed brilliant skill to beat three defenders but with the goal at his mercy he hoofed it over the bar. And then Musiala put a chance on a plate for Gundogan but he stroked his shot against the post from 15 yards.
Japan keeper Shuichi Gonda kept his team in the game with a series of saves to deny Jonas Hoffman and Serge Gnabry twice, and then the Germans were made to pay.
Manuel Neuer had just made a brilliant save to deny Takumo Asano but the warning wasn’t heeded, and on 75 minutes Japan were level. When Karou Mitoma hit a cross shot Neuer parried it into the path of Ritsu Doan who hammered the ball home.
Germany were stunned and five minutes later they were shattered when lighting struck twice! This time it was a long ball down field which Asano took down brilliantly but he still had plenty to do as he raced into the penalty area, though you wouldn’t know it as he rifled his shot from a tight angle into the roof of the net.
When Leon Goretzka whistled a shot inches wide deep into stoppage time the game was up.
Key statistics
The pre-match World Cup 2022 betting odds rank Germany around sixth favourites and in the first half, against a strong opponent they looked like the real deal, with over 80 per cent possession, 14 shots to one and five to nil on target.
Germany finished with 26 shots to 12 and nine to four on target… but they simply weren’t ruthless enough.
This was the first time Japan had beaten Germany; and it was fully deserved because the Samurai Blue fought to defend their goal and took their chances when they came.
What’s next?
Group E is one of the toughest in the competitions and next up for Germany it’s highly fancied Spain, while Japan face Costa Rica. Spain and Costa Rica meet an hour after this final whistle. We’ve taken a close look at Spain here at SBOTOP and rate them as likely semi-finalists and so the clash with Germany is a blockbuster – and it could be a recurring nightmare for Flick’s men.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
