Japan delivered a stunning blow as they brought down the four-time champions Germany 2-1 in an absorbing FIFA World Cup Group ‘E’ fixture played at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar yesterday.
This was undoubtedly, the greatest day in Japan’s footballing history as they showed quality and intelligence in the latter stages to turn the game in their favour after trailing 0-1 at half time. Being down and out at the end of the first half, Japan came in all guns blazing in the second half to snatch an unlikely win. Takuma Asano and Ritsu Doan were the superstars as Japan jumped to the top of Group ‘E’, which also includes Spain and Costa Rica.
Japan used 26 percent of possession to hand Germany their first defeat in 26 games after scoring the opening goal in the World Cup.
Germany lost after leading at half time in the World Cup for the first time since June 1978, against Austria. They have gone 21 games without defeat after leading at the interval at the finals.
Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan had given Germany the lead from the penalty spot in the first half, before Japan substitute Ritsu Doan equalised in the 75th minute.
The equaliser came after a string of stunning saves at each end – Japan’s Shuichi Gonda pulling off a double stop to deny Serge Gnabry and Jonas Hofmann before Germany’s Manuel Neuer got his fingertips to Junya Ito’s effort.Germany, who finished bottom of their group in Russia in 2018, had missed several chances to extend their lead when the score was 1-0.
Thereafter, substitute Takuma Asano squeezed in a thumping strike from a tight angle to make it 2-1 in favour of Japan. (C.D)