Shock result a repeat of Germany’s 2018 World Cup nightmare
Doha, Qatar: With two unbelievable upsets on two consecutive days, where Titans have been laid low by greenhorns, speaking comparatively that is, the Fifa World Cup now in progress in Doha, is turning out to be quite a blast, a Reuters report in The Trribune, Chandigarh, says
After Argentina’s shocking 2 – 1 defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia, it was Germany’s turn to bite the dust, beaten 2 – 1 by Japan on Wednesday, November 23.
Late goals by Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano gave Japan an incredible 2-1 comeback victory over Germany in the World Cup on Wednesday after the four-time champions had looked to be cruising to victory via an Ilkay Guendogan penalty but paid a fatal price for missing chances.
The shock result was a repeat of Germany’s 2018 World Cup nightmare when, as defending champions, they lost their opener to Mexico and, after another defeat by South Korea, were condemned to an unheard of group-stage exit.
In the iinitial stages of the game, Germany seemed to be in total command in their Group E encounter, but with each missed chance, matters seemed to be slipping out of their grip
Japan, showed almost little spark in their attack struggled to get any foothold for most of the game. But a until a series of substitutions in the second half completely changed the complexion of the game..
Doan equalised in the 75th minute before Asano showed lovely control and smashed the winner in from a tight angle – causing an explosion of joy among the Japanese fans. It was an unbelievable turnaround.
Germany’s early dominance was rewarded when Joshua Kimmich picked out David Raum in acres of space in the box and goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda clumsily brought him down as he turned, with Guendogan dispatching the penalty in the 33rd minute.
Japanese goalkeeper Gonda then made amends with four successive saves to deny Jonas Hofmann and Serge Gnabry any further incursions, keeping his side in the game.
Manuel Neuer, appearing in his fourth World Cup, was also alert to a save from Hiroki Sakai and did well again soon after to block from Takumi Minamino, only for fellow substitute Doan to smash in the loose ball.
Suddenly a perked up pushed on and Asano showed great strength to bring down a high free kick and hold off defender Nico Schlotterbeck and fantastic technique to hammer the ball into the smallest of spaces.
Germany launched all-out attack from then on, to no avail, and now face a potentially must-win game next against Spain.
Japan next face Costa Rica and are probably already dreaming of making it to the last 16.
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