By Eniola Olatunji
The Japan football team on Wednesday at the Kalifa Stadium inflicted a tangible collateral damage on the German Machine sinking the team 2-1 in the first group E encounter at the 2022 world cup in Qatar.
Midfielder IIkay Guadogan of Germany had scored from a penalty spot after Japanese goalkeeper fouled on a German attacker in 33rd minute and Ref Ivan Barton of El Salvador surprised the entire stadium when he approved an obvious offside goal by Kai Hevertz in the 45+4th minute only for VAR to turn it down.
Germany did not foresee the waking up of the hard working Japanese when they started bombarding their goal area from the 70th minute until Ritsu Doan got a gift of a parried ball from German goalkeeper, Manuel Neur to score an equalizer in the 75th minute.
The younger Japanese players kept mounting pressure until Takuma Asano got a pass from Ko Itakura in 83rd minute to powerfully ram in the winner and the German Machine malfunctioned drifting into an unexpected loss.
Five Japanese players play in the Bundesliga and understood all the computerized moves of the Germans who are the most successful in the world cup after Brazil.
Germany ranked 11th in the world were making their 20th appearance at the world cup winning four times in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014. They were Silver Medalists in 1966, 1982, 1986 and 2002. Won Bronze in 1934, 1970 and 2010. What an intimidating record! But at the last tournament held in 2018, Germany was sent out at the Group Stage. Will Germany go out at the group stage in 2022?
Japan were surely underdogs appearing the 7th time with 24th placed ranking but their best were mere round of 16 appearances thrice in 2002, 2010 and 2018. This is ‘positionally’ less than a David versus Goliath match.
We are not sure if this standard can upset archrival Spain who are in their group but has a Costa Rica hurdle to scale. Ref Mohammed Abdullai Hassan of UAE will handle that match.
On Sunday 27th November the second round group matches will be played between Japan and Costa Rica at 11am and Spain versus Germany at 8pm.
Eniola Olatunji reporting.
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