Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup – Group E – Germany v Japan – Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar – November 23, 2022 Reaction by Maya Yoshida and Kou Itakura of Japan REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
DOHA—Late goals from Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano gave Japan an incredible 2-1 comeback against Germany at the World Cup on Wednesday after the four-time champions looked set to win with a goal. Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty but paid dearly for missed opportunities.
This shocking result echoes the nightmare of the 2018 World Cup for the Germans when, as defending champions, they lost to Mexico in the opening match and after another defeat to South Korea, they were convicted. never seen a group stage exit.
Germany looked to dominate the clash in Group E, but with each missed opportunity leaving the door open for Japan, the team showed little in attack until a series of Energy substitutions in the second half.
Doan equalized in the 75th minute before Asano showed his ability to control beautifully and finish the decision from a tight angle – causing the Japanese bench to burst with joy.
It was a change that seemed unbelievable as Japan struggled to gain any foothold for much of the match.
Germany’s early dominance paid off when Joshua Kimmich fouled David Raum in the wide open space of the box and goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda clumsily knocked him down as he turned, with Gundogan taking the ball. penalty in the 33rd minute.
Kai Havertz made what he thought was a second into first half stoppage time and although the assistant referee was the only one in the Khalifa International Stadium not noticing he was one meter offside. , but VAR didn’t validly allow it.
Initially, the game changed slightly in the second half when Jamal Musiala went ahead after a run through and Gundogan cut the post.
Gonda then made amends with four consecutive saves to deny Jonas Hofmann and Serge Gnabry, helping his team keep going.
Manuel Neuer, making his fourth World Cup appearance, was also alert to save Hiroki Sakai and did well soon after to save Takumi Minamino, only for substitute Doan to loose the ball. .
Suddenly, Japan surged in and Asano showed great strength when he took a high free-kick and saved defender Nico Schlotterbeck as well as superb technique to get the ball into the smallest spaces.
Germany have launched an all-out attack since then to no avail, and now face a potentially must-win next game against Spain.
Japan next faces Costa Rica and will dream of the final round of 16.
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