Japanese leave Germans shellshocked

by Anmar Goodridge-Boyce

The giant killers are out and about.

If you thought Saudi Arabia’s 2-1 win over one of the pre-tournament favourites Argentina yesterday was a fluke, prepare to think again.

This is a World Cup so far, filled with surprises.

Four-time winners Germany, is the latest big team to suffer a shock defeat at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as Japan stunned the 2014 champions 2-1 at Khalifa International Stadium today.

The Germans dominated with more than 74 per cent of possession in contrast to Japan’s 24 and looked on course for a routine and comfortable victory when Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan gave them the lead from the penalty spot in the first half.

However, the Germans got a bit complacent in the second half and Japan soaked up the pressure and played with confidence and got their reward when substitute Ritsu Doan produced the equaliser in the 75th minute.

Momentum shifted hands and having got back into the game, Japan started to play with more passion and purpose going forward and another super-sub Takuma Asano fired a cannon strike past Manuel Neuer from an acute angle which proved to be the winner. Credit must also be given to Japan’s goal keeper Shuichi Gonda. He pulled off a string of spectacular saves to deny Serge Gnabry and Jonas Hofmann.

It sparked massive celebrations in the stadium and has now left Germany facing a similar situation they were in last World Cup.

In 2018, they lost their opening match 1-0 to Mexico and failed to reach the round of 16, finishing bottom of the group.

 

I expect more of the same, Germany’s Sunday match against Spain will be critical with a consecutive defeat certain to confirm an early exit. But this is the World Cup and there is a reason it’s the greatest sporting event.

The Germans must not be underestimated or written off, they have the quality and depth in terms of squad to go on to win both their remaining games and advance to the knockout round.

Spain took no prisoners, the 2010 champions were absolutely ruthless in their approach to the first game, thrashing Costa Rica 7-0 to create history by producing the team’s biggest win at a FIFA World Cup.

 

When they were crowned champs 12 years ago in South Africa, at the time, a very good Spanish side scored eight goals in the entire tournament.

This time around, Spain have started in sensational fashion and produced a masterclass display to demolish a hapless Costa Rica side.

Ferran Torres scored a brace in the 7-0 drubbing but the goal of the match came when 18-year-old Gavi became one of the youngest ever player to score in the World Cup. There were also goals from Dani Olmo, Asensio, Carlos Soler and Alvaro Morata.

In the day’s first encounter, Croatia who were runners-up four years ago in Russia, began their tournament with a 0-0 stalemate against a solid Morocco side.

It’s a new-look Croatia team that lacked the attacking quality and decision- making in the final third that saw them advance to the 2018 final.

Nevertheless, Morocco played in an admirable way but were unable to create clear-cut goal scoring chances.

Croatia as expected were in total control of the ball possession but could not break down a stubborn Morocco.

In the final match of the day, Michy Batshuayi’s first-half strike was enough to grant Belgium a hard-fought 1-0 win over a resolute and impressive Canada team. Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies was made to pay the ultimate price of defeat as he missed a perfect chance for Canada to register their first ever World Cup goal when he was saved from the penalty spot by a brilliant Thibaut Courtois effort.

It’s a score line that doesn’t reflect the circumstances of the match as Canada outclassed the world no. 2 ranked team but failed to put the ball in the back of the net.

For Canada, they will be encouraged by this performance as many expected a hammering from a star-studded Belgium unit.

Anmar’s predictions:

GROUP H Uruguay 1-0 South Korea

Portugal 3-1 Ghana

GROUP G

Switzerland 1-1 Cameroon

Brazil 4-0 Serbia