Welcome to Sportstar’s highlights of the Germany vs Japan FIFA World Cup Group E match from the Khalifa International Stadium.
WATCH: Germany vs Japan in pictures
HIGHLIGHTS
Talking Points
- A fast start by Germany, pegging Japan back into its own half in the opening minutes.
- A brilliant counter-attack by Japan after Gundogan got dispossessed. Maeda finished the attack with a goal but it was ruled out as offside.
- After the initial nervousness, the Japanese team seems to have settled down in the match. They are not enjoying a lot of the ball with the Germans having 84% possession, but Moriyasu’s men have defended well till now.
- 34’ GOAL- Gundogan converts his penalty to give Germany a 1-0 lead.
- 45+5’- VAR rules out Havertz’s goal for offside after it was initially given.
- 47’ Germany’s Gnabry with an early chance in the second half from a Muller pass. However, he cannot keep the shot on target and blasts wide. Germany starting the second-half on a strong note.
- Despite Germany having the better chances till now, it is still anybody’s match, especially after Havertz’s cancelled goal in the first-half stoppage time.
- OFF THE POST- Musiala sets up Gundogan for the shot. Gundogan obliges and shoots from the edge of the box, hitting the left post of Gonda’s goal.
- Japan keeper Shuichi Gonda has been immense in the second half, making crucial saves to keep his country in the match.
- 75’GOAL- Ritsu Doan scores to equalise for Japan. Minamino’s cross was saved by Neuer but he could not hold on to it. Doan was there to score from the rebound.
- 83’ GOAL- Takumi Asano beats Neuer at his near-post with a brilliant finish to give the lead to Japan. What a comeback by the Asian team.
- FULL-TIME: Germany 1- Japan 2.
Streak broken!!
Passing is the name of the game!!
Germany players cover their mouth in protest before kick-off. READ to know why
Germany players pose with their hands covering their mouths as they line up for the team photos prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match between Germany and Japan at Khalifa International Stadium on November 23, 2022, in Doha, Qatar. | Photo Credit: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
Nagamoto in the history books!!
One for the present and future!!
Germany vs Japan Stats
Head-to-head record
Form guide
Starting Lineups are out!!
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Match Preview
Germany gearing up to handle pressure in group opener against Japan
Germany goes into its World Cup Group E opener against Japan on Wednesday, knowing that this one game could potentially make or break its tournament hopes.
With 2010 world champion Spain awaiting next, the Germans cannot afford any slip-up against the Japanese and risk a potential early exit again.
The four-time champion has arrived in Qatar, a new team since its 2018 World Cup first-round shock elimination. It has since changed its coach, and a number of players and even dropped its official monicker ‘Die Mannschaft’.
Those four years since the Russian debacle - its earliest World Cup exit in more than 80 years - have been far from successful, with the Germans relegated from the Nations League in 2018 before rule changes kept it alive in the competition, and then crashing out of the Euro at the Round of 16 last year.
With new coach Hansi Flick, who won six titles with Bayern in 2021 before taking over just over a year ago, the Germans are hoping they now have what it takes to again make a deep run in the tournament.
“We have to be prepared for a tough battle against Japan,” said team director Oliver Bierhoff this week. “We have to be focused from the very first minute. Then everything is possible with the team.”
What Flick has yet to decide, is whether he will deploy one of his centre forwards, the strong and tall Niclas Fuellkrug, against the Japanese or go with the option of moving a winger such as Kai Havertz into the nine position.
Fuellkrug has been sidelined for the past several days with the flu.
Despite winning nine of its 10 qualifiers Germany has been unconvincing in attack in recent months, and calls for the use of a natural target man have grown considerably louder.
The Japanese know more about Germany’s game than most other teams in the tournament, with no fewer than eight German-based players in their squad.
Japan veteran Yuto Nagatomo said those eight, who include Europa League winner with Eintracht Frankfurt Daichi Kamada, were constantly feeding teammates information on their opponents.
“You don’t even have to ask – in the canteen or on the bus, you’re getting information from everywhere,” said Nagatomo.
Japan has also seen Germany’s weakness in defence and their vulnerability against quick counter-attacks.
An upset in the first match against the Germans could go a long way in getting it past the group stage, just like it had done in 2018 when it narrowly lost to Belgium in the Round of 16.
-Reuters
Germany vs Japan Predicted XI
When will Germany vs Japan match take place?
Germany vs Japan FIFA World Cup will take place on November 23 at 6:30 PM IST at the Khalifa International stadium
Where can I watch Germany vs Japan World Cup match LIVE on TV?
The Germany vs Japan FIFA World Cup match will be telecasted live on the Sports18 Network.
Where can I live stream Germany vs Japan World Cup match?
Germany vs Japan FIFA World Cup match can be live streamed on JioCinema.
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