Japan have claimed a stunning 2-1 comeback win over 2014 champions Germany on Thursday. The Germans went ahead in the first half and looked comfortable but ultimately had no answer for Japan’s extraordinary reverse.
The sensational result comes after Saudia Arabia toppled Leo Messi’s Argentina in an all-time boilover yesterday and busts Group E wide open.
Leroy Sane was a late omission, and Hansi Flick, taking charge of his first major tournament as Germany manager, deployed Chelsea’s Kai Havertz in the No.9 role, with Thomas Muller in behind as a ten. There was no spot for Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka as Joshua Kimmich and Ilkay Gundogan started in the engine room.
For Japan, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Takumi Minamino were among the substitutes.
Japan had the ball in the net just eight minutes into the contest but Daizen Maeda began his ran just a little too early and was caught offside.
Twenty-five minutes later as they began to make inroads, Germany took the lead through Gundogan, the Manchester City man keeping his cool with a composed penalty after fullback David Raum was brought down in the box by Shuichi Gonda.
(Photo by David Ramos – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
With Japan just trying to hold on until half-time Die Mannschaft appeared to have doubled their advantage with a killer blow just before the break, however a VAR check revealed Kai Havertz was offside as he finished off the slick passing move.
The Germans picked up where the left off at the tail-end of the opening half with Gundogan going close with a strike from the edge of the penalty area.
Flick went to his bench in the 67th minute, bringing on Jonas Hofmann for Muller, and Goretzka replaced Gundogan who’d been through a mountain of work in the centre of midfield as well as his goal.
Minamino was brought on with 15 minutes to play as the Blue Samurai continued to chase the equaliser.
Just one minute later Japan were level as Manuel Neuer, excellent up until that point, was only able to parry a shot back into Ritsu Doan’s path, and the Freiburg winger made no mistake from close range.
It was then Mario Gotze’s turn to enter the fray after Flick had ended the 2014 hero’s exile from the squad.
As Japan kept probing, Takuma Asano had the ball on a string before charging in and smashing his shot into the roof of the net past the helpless Neuer, sending the Japanese fans in the stands into delirium.
Germany would be left to rue their missed opportunities and poor defending as the final whistle blew and wild scenes ensued in Doha.
(Photo by David Ramos – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Seventh heaven for Spain
Spain have begun their quest for a second World Cup crown in style, rattling up seven goals against an outclassed Costa Rican team.
After the giant-killings came the deluge.
Spain took no chances as they took seven of their chances against Costa Rica in Doha’s Al Thumama Stadium.
Having seized hold of the match with a goal inside a dozen minutes La Roja made sure not to let go.
By the half-hour they were 3-0 up with New Zealand’s playoff conquerors reduced to trying to keep the score down. That they failed to do, Spain adding another four in the second half.
The seven-goal victory was not even flattering such was Spain’s superiority, Costa Rica failing to manage either a shot or a corner.
After defeating Australia 4-1 on Tuesday French striker Ousmane Dembele had cautioned: “In modern football there’s no small teams. If you turn down the intensity, you’re in trouble.”
It was a lesson Argentina had failed to heed earlier that day after leading against Saudi Arabia, and one Germany spurned after leading against Japan on Wednesday.
The impact of the tournament’s second seismic shock was still reverberating when Spain kicked off a few miles away and barely than an hour later, and they were in no mood to permit a third shock.
Despite having to rejig due to illness and injury Spain took command from the start, dominating possession and pulling so many holes in Costa Rica’s cover the opening goal was no surprise.
Dani Olmo scored it in the 11th minute from a neat pass by Gavi, the forward turning smartly before lifting a shot over Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
Ten minutes later Sergio Busquets, the only survivor from the winning 2010 team, swept a pass out to Jordi Alba whose cross was met by a Marco Asensio shot Navas should have kept out.
A further ten minutes on Oscar Duarte clipped the the heel of Alba and Ferran Torres made it 3-0 from the spot.
That was game over, a Spanish defence featuring Manchester City midfielder Rodri out of position having never been tested.
Torres scrambled a 54th-minute fourth from close range before Gavi volleyed a spectacular 75th-minute fifth from Alvaro Morata’s cross.
That made him the youngest goalscorer at the World Cup since Pele in the 1958 final.
As added time approached Soler drove in after Navas failed to hold Nico Williams’ teasing cross. Then Morata played a one-two with Olmo before tucking in the seventh.
It was the first time Spain had scored seven goals in a World Cup match, and was achieved with the first starting XI featuring two teenagers (18-year-old Gavi and 19-year-old Pedri) by any team since 1962.
It was also an ominous performance for a German side needing to gain a result when the teams meet on Sunday.
Canada taught brutal lesson by Belgium
Canada’s first World Cup game since 1986 ended in a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Belgium, with the Red Devils dishing out a harsh lesson in tournament football thanks to a Michy Batshuayi goal late in the first half.
Despite a pre-tournament ranking of number two in the world, it was Belgium who were a clear second best for much of the game, with Canada consistently able to win the ball high and pressure Thibaut Courteois’ goal, with the Real Madrid keeper arguably man of the match.
His highlight was a stunning penalty save from Bayern star Alphonso Davies, but he was consistently able to turn the Canadians away. They managed 22 shots to the Belgians’ nine, but failed to find the net.
The only man who did was Batshuayi, who scored the simplest of goals just before the break. Canada had squandered the bulk of the opportunities and were undone by a long, straight pass up the field that fell straight to the feet of the Fenerbahce striker, who blasted past Milan Borjan in the goal.
Canada remain goalless, pointless and winless at the World Cup – they lost all their games in 1986 – but will take a lot of heart from the way that they troubled one of the tournament favourites.
Though Belgium improved in the second half and might have added to their lead as Canada threw men forward, they were happy to sit off and keep the Canadians at bay. Now, they are just one win away from a place in the knockouts, while Canada need to win against Croatia to stay in the tournament.
Croatia splutter to Morocco stalemate
Croatia’s World Cup campaign is off to a stuttering start after a goalless draw against Morocco in Qatar.
Chances were sparse with Real Madrid’s Modric among those coming closest in the opening match in Group F which also features Belgium and Canada who meet later in the day.
The Atlas Lions contained Croatia well for most of Wednesday’s game but also failed to manage a breakthrough in Al Khor.
A long-distance attempt from Ivan Perisic went over the crossbar before Croatia came closest just before intermission, Nikola Vlasic denied by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou from close range after a fast move, and Modric then blazing high from the edge of the area.
The 37-year-old Modric and his team also lacked ideas in the second half and their goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic had to palm away a fierce but not very accurate free-kick from Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi in the 65th.
Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, back in the Morocco squad under new coach Walid Regragui, also failed to make a decisive impact as the game ended in the third 0-0 of the tournament.
With agencies
Simoc
Roar Rookie
Enjoying the Worlds biggest sporting event. I reckon France is the best team I've seen through the first round followed by Brazil today who were relentless but didn't appear to be as talented but they will need to be beaten. They go at it for the whole match. It appeared to me Serbia played their best but couldn't match Brazil, rather like Australia vs France.
Simoc
Roar Rookie
Well Pete Samu is a lightweight nobody going nowhere and done nothing so you're running to par I would say.
Simoc
Roar Rookie
Well you would have to laugh at a not so recent recent Matildas (womans game) where superstar Sam Kerr went down, and the minute Korean referee came across and told her to get up and play on. The Oz commentary team was horrified, but she got up and played on. They're all after a rest or a cheap free kick or penalty. The rewards are high.
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
Why is it that when a player scores a goal and cops contact its all good, especially when other players pile on top of him in celebration, yet if he cops contact and doesn’t score a goal his face is suddenly peeling off and he’s in excruciating agony, but then happy to take the penalty shot? You never answered this question (which is a blight on the game itself). NRL and Rugby Union are different codes of Rugby. Rugby is more team structured with an emphasis on possession and territory, NRL is quick, aerodynamic and a simpler style with a lot of contact and individual tackles. In regards to your first point: sure, keep the match flowing but allow the TMO to review the previous tackle on the fly and make a call to the onfield referee about whether it was a blatant attempt at a theatrical dive or a legitimate aggressive tackle. Or simply stop the clock and not have to add x plus minutes at the end. Use technology available. And what's the go with zero respect for the referee? Every football player rushing up into the referees face arguing? In rugby it goes through the captain only. What is your solution to eradicate the diving? My solution: straight up ban the player for 3 matches the first time, 10 matches the second offence, and life the final. No point fining the player as the clubs will pay for it
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
Haha funny how none of the football fans replying to my comments have liked or commented on your example! This is exactly what I'm bringing forward! Perhaps they're embarrassed to actually like your comment mate!
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
Concussion is a serious issue, and Rugby players are better adapted and conditioned to contact. There are now protocols in place to manage concussion to limit long term brain injury. It's the sport. They're professionals. They understand the consequences. That still doesn't answer my original question of why players need to overexaggerate a dive in order to win a penalty. Why not just get back up and get on with it? Why pretend to be in agony? Why the theatrics?
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
So answer me this: is football a contact sport or not? Aren't nudges apart of the game? Naturally two players scuffling for the ball will contact each other, but is a dive whilst clutching at the ankle, shin, knee and face really needed? May as well officiate a football match like a game of Netball lol
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
Trolling, or simply raising a decisive point of discussion. Surely it annoys every football fan when an opponent over exaggerates a dive and rolls around in 'agony' to gain an advantage. Didn't the Italian player pull off a spectacular dive in the box to gain a shot at goal in the box? Engaged millions. But, hey, that's OK. I'm 'trolling'
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
Happens in rugby too, and rugby players Walk away from it ok. Can't recall them clutching at their faces for a penalty? Oh, and plenty of hands and fingers get stood on and broken too... All I'm saying is there must be a better review system into legitimate tackles with harm against the theatrical over the top taking a dive for a decisive penalty
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
You're all over it Aidan
Matsu
Roar Rookie
While Moriyasu probably deserves credit for a good plan, it wasnt as if they drew up the formation change in the locker room at half time. Moriyasu has been carefully plotting a 16-man strategy for every single contest (which makes sense given how deep the Japan NT is these days). His plans entail the use of all five subs, and he has sketched out the scenarios. While coaches in Europe have certainly adjusted to the fact that they have more substitution options, I dont know how many have actually sat down and considered the flexibility that five subs allows, and designed a strategy around it Japan's approach to the entire World Cup was based on getting a draw here (ie against Germany), then beating Costa Rica, and hoping that Spain would either be already qualified or also with a win and a draw meaning that they would be happy to rest players and settle for a scoreless draw. If Japan had been still 0-0 at half time, you would have seen Kubo and Maeda off for Minamino and Shibasaki/Morita. Japan would have gone to a three-DMF 4-5-1 and focused on long balls to Ito or Asano. Ideally, the plan was to make it to half time either 0-0 or 1-1 (assuming maybe Maeda or Ito gets a breakaway), then change to a 4-5-1, or a 5-4-1 in the second half, but with a really high press and looking to counterattack. As it was, Japan had to make a more attacking change earlier than they expected [and I have no doubt that Moriyasu already had a scenario for being down 0-1 at the break]. But these changes are part of Japan's basic strategy, which is to use second-half substitutions to alter the contest. By using hard-pressing players up front like Maeda and Ito in the starting lineup, they try to wear out the defenders and midfielders with constant running. Then you bring on the likes of Mitoma, Minamino and Asano, who can run at the defenders, and take advantage of their tired legs, and you shift to a new formation and style of play. The change, when it is made, disrupts the other team's play and they are forced to make adjustments they might not want to make. (I think they WERE successful to some extent, in their strategy of wearing down the German defense, but it was mainly because the German players were all rushing forward looking for goals.) The problem in the first half was that Japan could not hold the ball up in midfield, when they had possession. For the entire first half Germany had almost constant control of the ball, because apart from one or two counterattacks, Japan's possession was all deep in their own end.On this point I think Kubo is a huge liability. He just cant hold the ball under pressure. Id give Soma a chance against Costa Rica, though in truth, Minamino might be the best choice for the Spain (and any subsequent) contests. You need to have wide midfielders who can carry the ball in midfield and not just get shoved off it. Anyway, the point is that Moriyasu's philosophy against the heavyweights (Germany, Spain etc) is to let the opponent develop a certain style and mindset, as well as (hopefully) use up a lot of energy, in the first half. Then he makes his five changes, and tries to win the game in the second half. That was the game plan from the start, and not some reaction to Germany's dominance in the first half (though obviously, that was the reason why Kubo was the first to leave). This is a basic part of Moriyasu's philosophy, so you can expect to see substitutes continue to play an important role in matches going forward.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
I read in the Japanese press that 5 of the players in their National team play in Germany, all they copped from the Germans was how they'd get pummelled by a superior German team. This got the Japanese team fired up, not surprisingly the two players that scored had a point to prove as they both play in the Bundesliga. Somehow the French arrogance didn't rile the Socceroos.
Aiden
Guest
I think you are misunderstanding what you saw. I’m not suggesting we ‘open up.’ It’s not one or the other. We had to be defensive, but to break out we had to be at them with intensity. What we did was completely capitulate. We sat right back and gave them space and time to shoot and shoot. Japan spent the whole first half with the exact same problem, the game was played on their penalty line. But did you see Maeda constantly charging at them off the ball? Japan broke out because they had a plan. They left some forward runners ready to receive the ball and they pushed Germany to rush passes. We did …. NOTHING. Two lines of five like training cones. That’s not a tactic. They were always going to eventually play through us.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Agree - Cahill could have scored at 4 World Cups.
Aiden
Guest
BvM stuffed the Denmark game though. We had them in the ropes, they barely had the ball, we spent much of the second half bombing balls into their box and one of the best headers of the ball the game has seen was sitting on the bench. He was out of form … but 20 minutes at the back end of the game … all those chances? That was an opportunity lost.
Garry
Roar Rookie
2010 flogged under Verbeek
Coastyboi
Guest
Pete Samu, we could also ask: why do Union & League players hide their pain, when concussion clearly causes brain damage?
Waz
Roar Rookie
:thumbup: :thumbup:
Punter
Roar Rookie
When were we flogged under Ange?
Punter
Roar Rookie
I have seen Australia decline since 2006 as we fell further & further behind Japan from a technical point of view, one of the main issues being that Japan has a long term strategy & is putting money into football. We in Australia have not. Ange made some changes in 2014/15/16 & we competed with the likes of Japan, but while we were still falling behind in footballing skills, we still competed. Yesterday, we played well for 25 mins, France adjusted & they were playing better as you would expect. However, like you said nothing from Arnie to address this in the 2nd half, it was as if we just said we can't win this, they just ran out steam & there was no changes from Arnie to address this. Our poor right back was just murdered & he did nothing to help him. We expected to lose to France & they were a joy to watch, but after the first 25 mins, we were bereft of ideas, we had no fitness & we had no drive. Totally different to Japan & Saudi Arabia, who were both under the pump until half time & they wither the pressure & push on.