Four years after the World Cup debacle in Russia, the DFB-Elf surprisingly lost 1-2 (1-0) to Japan at the start on Wednesday. Ilkay Gündogan put coach Hansi Flick’s team in front with a penalty kick (33′), Ritsu Doan (75′) and Takumo Asano (83′) turned the game around in Al Rayyan in the final stages. So Germany is already under pressure to win in the duel with Spain on Sunday.
In the second game of Group E, Spain and Costa Rica met on Wednesday (5 p.m. / ServusTV). The DFB-Elf dominated the game over long stretches, but were unable to take advantage of numerous opportunities to make a preliminary decision after the lead. In the course of the second half, Japan no longer limited itself to defending, acted more courageously and shocked Germany twice. Both goals were scored by legionnaires from the German Bundesliga. In Russia, Germany was eliminated after the group stage.
Flick put his trust in Antonio Rüdiger and Nico Schlotterbeck in central defense at the start, while Niklas Süle switched to the right-back position. Thomas Müller returned in time after a week-long injury break and acted as a tenth in central midfield. His Munich club colleague Jamal Musiala played on the left wing, Kai Havertz played in the center of the attack. Japan started with five Germany legionnaires, ex-Salzburg player Takumi Minamino came on as a substitute.
Protest at team photo
Immediately before kick-off, the German internationals covered their mouths for the team photo. The DFB-Elf sent a signal against the world association FIFA, which had banned the “One Love” captain’s armband from Manuel Neuer and six other European team captains.
In the game, the German players were initially unable to set any accents despite a lot of ball possession. Already in the eighth minute there was the first excitement of this game, but on the part of the Japanese. Center forward Daizen Maeda put the ball in the net but was ruled offside when the ball was passed. After a good quarter of an hour, Germany knocked for the first time, a Rüdiger header missing the goal.
As the game progressed, the DFB team grew stronger and created numerous opportunities. Goalman Shuichi Gonda (20′) parried a long-range shot from Kimmich, and a little later a defender prevented the impact after Gündogan’s shot (29′). Germany’s superiority eventually resulted in a penalty when goalie Gonda knocked left-back David Raum off his feet. Gündogan converted the penalty effortlessly.
Shortly before the break, Havertz was already celebrating the 2-0, but his goal was rightly disallowed after studying VAR due to a clear offside position (45 + 4.). Japan hardly advanced in the first half, only a header from Maeda caused danger (45+6.).
In the second half, the game did not change much at first. Germany maintained control of the game and continued to create promising opportunities. Serge Gnabry first hit the crossbar, Musiala danced through the Japanese penalty area a little later, but his shot flew over the goal.
After an hour, Gündogan had the preliminary decision at his feet, but his shot hit the post. The “Blue Samurai” then tried to be more courageous, revealing further defensive weaknesses. Germany found a triple chance, but substitute Jonas Hofmann and twice Gnabry failed to Gonda.
Japan grew stronger with time. After a shot by Junya Ito, Neuer saved his team from equalizing with a brilliant act, Hiroki Sakai botched the follow-up shot from a promising position (73′). A little later the ball wriggled in the net thanks to two jokers. Neuer fended off a low cross from Minamino, and the ball bounced at Doan’s feet, who put it in from close range (75′).
For Germany it was even worse. Asano slammed the ball under the bar from close range after a positional error by Schlotterbeck (83′). In stoppage time, Leon Goretzka missed a great chance to equalize (95′).
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Source: Nachrichten
