Qatar 2022: Samurai Blue Come From One down To Put Germany To The Sword

In their first game of the competition, Germany was beaten by Japan in quite unusual circumstances in this tourney that has kept bringing on surprises.

The Japanese overturned the score in the final minutes to create yet another shock wave in this year’s FIFA world cup after Saudi defeated Argentina.

From the 8th minute, Japan showed good intentions with a goal from striker Daizen Maeda, finally chalked off for an offside.

Germany soon recovered their style and rushed to invade Japan’s side of the pitch but met a good structure of coach Hajime Moriyasu’s well set up Japan.

The first shot on target in the match was taken in the 20th minute by Joshua Kimmich. Japanese goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda managed to repel.

A few minutes later, in the 31st minute, a penalty was awarded to Germany by referee Ivan Barton, after the goalkeeper charged on Raum.

A great opportunity converted by the midfielder Ilkay Gündogan. Before half-time, Kai Havertz almost led the Germans to increase the tally but his goal was disallowed, again for offside.

Yet to come to terms with the first half disallowed goal, Germany wasted no time to attack upon recovery of the second half.

Faced with the superiority of the Germans, the Japanese then began to push forward, disregarding respect earlier shown to the German’s.

From an error, the Blue Samurai, equalized in the 75th minute thanks to a goal from Ritsu Doan, who was subbed in four minutes earlier.

To regain control, Germany made some changes. Midfielders Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala were replaced by Niclas Füllkrug and Mario Götze respectively. But that was not enough, on the contrary. In the 83rd minute, Takuma Asano put Japan clean by scoring the second goal for his team – to the delight of the Japanese supporters present at the stadium.

After the surprise setback, Germany has no room for error, and their second match will certainly be decisive.