Information:
Match report as Ilkay Gundogan put Germany ahead in the first half, but Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano scored in the space of eight second-half minutes to give Japan a famous World Cup victory; Japan had never beaten Germany before.
Japan’s Victory Story
Japan had never beaten their European opponents before but capitalized on German errors and missed chances to secure a famous victory in their Group E opener.
The Stricker Thomas Muller
Striker Thomas Muller said after the game: “It’s ridiculous to be here with a defeat. We played a good game for a long time, but the game is also marked by the chances you turn into goals.”
Japan dazed Germany with a late rebound in their Reality Cup opener, with objectives from Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano seeing them win 2-1 at the Khalifa Global Arena.
Japan got an early ‘goal’ from Daizen Maeda, who was also ruled out for offside, but Hansi Flick’s side soon went ahead after goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda clumsily challenged David Raum for a penalty and Ilkay Gundogan slotted home from the spot (33).
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Germany thought they had scored a second in the first half but Kai Havertz’s effort was also ruled out for offside.
The Ground Tactics
The four-time World Cup victors kept on seeing possibilities go back and forth – Gundogan stirring things up around town at the top of the hour – before Japan utilized their lightning-fast assault to score two times late on.
The Results
Four minutes after coming on as a substitute, Doan (75) turned home from close range after Manuel Neuer’s save. Germany was then caught with the ball over the top, allowing Asano (83) to sneak the ball home from a tight angle
