Germany 1-2 Japan: Samurai Blue shock German team
Japan turned the game around against Germany in an exciting encounter. Die Mannschaft took the lead in the first half but could not stop the Japanese attacks. The Samurai Blue celebrate an important first win in Group E of the World Cup in Qatar. Germany missed out on multiple chances in the first half and had to deal with the consequences.
Germany had to do without Leroy Sane who missed out on the game due to a knee injury. Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry started on the wings while Kai Havertz ran up as striker.
Japan started with four Bundesliga players in their squad: Ko Itakura and Maya Yoshida as center backs while Wataru Endo and Daichi Kamada are responsible for the creative moments in the midfield.
It came as a surprise that Monaco striker Takumi Minamino did not start. Daizen Maeda took over the striker position.
German team makes political statement
As previously announced by the DFB, captain Manuel Neuer did not wear the One Love captain’s armband due to the sanctions threatened by Fifa. While they took the team photo the players covered their mouths with their hands as a symbolic gesture.
On their Social Media accounts, the team released a statement saying: “Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position.”
The first penalty area action belonged to Germany when Serge Gnabry was served by Musiala. A Japanese defender was able to clear the ball (3′).
In the 8th minute, the ball landed in the German goal for the first time. Daizen Maeda was clearly offside when he finished freely in front of goalkeeper Manuela Neuer – no goal for Japan.
Germany responded with a corner shortly afterwards. After Joshua Kimmich had taken a corner, Antonio Rüdiger was unable to put the ball on goal (17′).
It was a mostly even game with chances on both sides but the German team kept on the pressure on the Japanese defense. Japanese goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda had to intervene the first time when Kimmich tested him with a long distance shot, Ilkay Gündogan was offside for the follow-up shot (21′).
Two more great chances for Die Mannschaft. Gündogan shot from a central position, but should rather have passed to Raum, who was running in on the left (28′). It was Gündogan again who passed to Raum this time but Gonda caught his cross without any problems (29′).
Germany takes lead through penalty
In the 31st minute the Japanese goalkeeper did not make a good figure when he could only stop Raum with a foul – penalty for Germany. Kimmich served the winger with a beautiful pass. Gündogan stepped up and put the ball into the centre of Japan’s goal for a 1-0 German lead (33′).
The German defense continued to look a little shaky despite the lead but Japan was not able to find a player of their own after a cross from Ao Tanaka on the right wing (36′).
There was another offside goal – this time for Germany. Havertz was already celebrating when he was called back by the referee. After this decision both teams went into the half time break.
Germany started the second half with determination. Gnabry’s shot from the second row grazed the crossbar of the Japanese goal (47′). Only a few minutes later Musiala set off for a solo in the opponent’s penalty area. He outplayed four Japanese defenders but could not get the shot on target. Gündogen only hit the post after a cross from Musiala (60′).
Samurai Blue came closer to the German goal with every attack but they keep failing in surpassing the opposing defence. Asano came closest in the minute after cross from Hiroki Sakai (69′) which only led to another corner.
The game moved on with great opportunities on both sides. Die Mannschaft had a triple chance with substitute Jonas Hofmann and twice Serge Gnabry (70′). Neuer held a great shot from Ito, Sakai could not put the rebound into the goal (73′).
Japan turns the game around
Then it happened. Ritsu Doan rewards the effort of his teammates and scores the equaliser (76′). Neuer first held Minamino’s first shot. The rebound ended up in the German goal.
Japan managed to fully turn the game around when Bochum player Takuma Asano. He took down a long ball from his own half with ease and proceeded to hit the German`s with visible determination into the top right corner of the goal (83′).
German`s did not find a solution to get past the Japanes defense. The last chance from Leon Goretzka was yet another attempt without success (90+5′).
For the second game Germany will face Spain on Sunday evening which is expected to be the most interesting pairing of the group. Same day Japan against Costa Rica. If Germany wants to keep its chance of reaching the round of 16, they have to win against the Spaniards.
