Germany’s Gündogan with severe criticism of teammates after 1: 2 bankruptcy

It was the second major embarrassment after Argentina’s 2-1 defeat against Saudi Arabia: After Germany’s 1-2 (1-0) slip-up against Japan, coach Hansi Flick’s team is facing the second World Cup group match on Sunday against unleashed Spaniards (7-0 against Costa Rica) are already under extreme pressure.

The reactions after the game were tough, the performance on the pitch wasn’t. It all started with the gesture before the game: the German internationals covered their mouths for the team photo. It was meant as a show of attitude towards FIFA – you couldn’t really impress anyone with it.

The same applied to the German game in the last half hour. Before that, one had failed primarily because of one’s own efficiency. For example, Ilkay Gündogan, who gave the Germans a 1-0 lead with a penalty (33rd), said: “We made it too easy for Japan. The second goal in particular – I don’t know if there has ever been an easier goal at a World Cup was scored. This must not happen.” And the Manchester City player also criticized the attitude of some teammates: “We’re here at the World Cup. There was a lack of conviction. You had the feeling that not everyone really wanted the ball. Up front we had some incredible opportunities.”

Team boss Hansi Flick was also devastated after the game. “It’s brutally disappointing. Japan clearly beat us in terms of efficiency. Individual mistakes shouldn’t happen. It’s important to me that the team draws the right conclusions and takes responsibility.”

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was also the center of attention. “If you don’t show yourself, if you don’t give passports with a statement in front, then the buck will come. We brought that on ourselves. Japan believed that there was something to be gained here and we believed that we could do it bring the stage,” said the captain and goalkeeper after the game. In this he had gone with the captain’s ribbon that had been specified by the world football association FIFA. Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser wore the “One Love” bandage in the stands. Germany’s association president Bernd Neuendorf: “FIFA works with intimidation and pressure, you have to admit that first. We are in opposition to FIFA, so it’s very important that this is made clear here. We have to think about what conclusions we can draw from that.” That also applies to sport – on Sunday it won’t be any easier against the Spaniards.

The Land of the Rising Sun celebrated at midnight

Due to the time difference, it was exactly midnight in Japan when the historic 2-1 victory over Germany at the World Cup in Qatar became official. The euphoria in the land of the rising sun is great, but the exuberant cheering of the players on the pitch was followed by rather reserved comments. The Japanese know what they want at this World Cup. And that’s more than just a group win, even if it’s as prestigious as the one against Germany.

“I didn’t care who my opponent was,” said winning goalscorer Takuma Asano, who is under contract at VfL Bochum and came on as a substitute yesterday. Ritsu Doan, who scored the 1-1 equalizer, also came off the bench and earns his money in the German Bundesliga – at SC Freiburg. Japan started yesterday with five Germany legionnaires, team boss Hajime Moriyasu showed a lucky hand when he brought the two scorers into play in the second half. The 54-year-old has been the coach of the national team for almost two and a half years. He previously oversaw Japan’s Under-23 team. In his World Cup squad there are 19 professionals who play in European leagues, eight of them play in Germany.

The Japanese are 24th in the world rankings and qualified for the World Cup as second in the group. First place went to Saudi Arabia, who surprised with a 2-1 win over Argentina on Tuesday. Japan have not missed a World Cup since 1998, losing to Belgium in the round of 16 in 2018.