The Game started off with Japan forcing Germany to defend well as Maeda and Ito were causing problems for the German defence. In the 8th minute the ball was in the German net as Maeda slotted the ball home from a good cross by Ito, but the replay showed that Maeda was a yard offside. Then the German side started to hit back as Rudiger sent his header into the side netting.
Germany started to get into the game and start to create more chances as Kimmich smashed the loose ball goal wards forcing a good save out of Gonda. All this pressure was getting to the Japanese side and soon it would get much worse as Gonda took out Raum inside the box and the referee had no choice but to give it a penalty. Gundogan slotted the pen away and it was just what they deserved after dominating for the past ten minutes and it almost got better for them as they had the ball in the Japanese net for the third time as Havertz had an easy tap in but after going to var it showed he was offside. Japan were trying to find an equalizer and they came close just before half time as Maeda met the cross of Nagatomo, but he couldn’t do much with it as he skewed his header wide.
Half time and it was 1-0 to the Germans and you couldn’t say that wasn’t deserved after the end to the first half they had after being dominated by Japan for the first few minutes. Second half starts and the Germans had the first chance of the half as Gnabry sent his effort over the bar. Japan were working really hard to get back into the game and it showed as they were creating numerous chances, but they couldn’t do much with them and they needed some new energy to come on.
Then the Japanese manager did just that first bringing on Asano and then Doan. The German team were still dominating and creating chances and it looked like they would get a goal to put the game to bed but the Japanese side didn’t go down without a fight and in the seventy fifth minute they got the goal which they fought for the whole game as mitoma drove with the ball the fed it to Minamino who’s ball was parried away by Neur but he couldn’t parry it to safety as Doan was quickest to react as he smashed it into the goal as the substitutes worked well to create that goal. Then a few minutes later the comeback was complete, and it was 2-1 to Japan as Itakura’s long ball was met by Asano who’s touch beats Schlotterbeck ad he darted into the box and took his shot from an awkward angle, but the power and accuracy took it away from Neur no one expected this sort of turnaround and it’s all down to the manager for making those subs. Germany were pushing for an equalizer and it came close to happening as Goretzka’s effort was just wide of the target. The game ended 2-1 and it was an amazing victory by Japan as they showed character and fightback t beat the former world cup champions.
Man of the Match: Maya Yoshida
It was a good performance from the experienced centre back as he dealt with the German attackers well giving all of them barely a sniff on goal and it shows in his stats as he made some key blocks and clearances to protect Japan’s lead in the dying moments of the game and his leadership and organisation was key to the win as well and his experience and leadership would be a good asset to the Japanese side if they want to do well in this tournament.
Flop of the match: Kai Havertz
It was a terrible game for the Chelsea man as he barely had a sniff on goal and its poor as he is usually reliable in a Germany shirt, but he couldn’t do anything today as he struggled to make a mark on this game as he only had twenty-seven touches in seventy-nine minutes which isn’t good for a player of his calibre. Then to make it even worse he was offside 3 times more than anyone in the game he will hopefully improve on his performance, or he could be one of the main reasons Germany don’t qualify from their group.
The stats showed the Germany domination, but they could not do anything with that as they lacked hunger and fight throughout the game which Japan had and used to come back and win the game. If they can’t show any fight or hunger in the group stages, they will be looking at another group stage exit which is not what they want so hopefully they can improve and play better next time.
Luke's Football blog 