A stunning late comeback from Japan saw four-time winners Germany fall to a shock 2-1 defeat in their opening World Cup game in Qatar. Germany dominated the first half and took the lead but the second half belonged to Japan who scored two goals in the last 15 minutes. It was the second huge shock of the tournament after Saudi Arabia beat Argentina yesterday. Gulf News football experts discuss the match and look ahead to tomorrow’s fixtures.
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00:00It's Japan-demonium at the FIFA World Cup. Yesterday we had perhaps the biggest shock
00:15in the history of the tournament when Saudi Arabia beat Argentina 2-1. And now today we
00:21have had another huge surprise result as Japan have beaten the four-time champions Germany
00:27by two goals to one. It's a surprising tournament so far. It looked like Hansi Flick's side
00:33were going to be comfortable when Gundogan scored a penalty in the first half. But then
00:38Japan hit back with two goals from two substitutes in the last 15 minutes of the match. It was
00:43Ritsu Dewan who brought them level and then Asana scored an absolute stunner. I think
00:49after that second half, guys, I'm turning Japanese. It was just a terrific performance
00:52from the team. Sham, this tournament is turning into one which is just full of surprises,
00:58isn't it?
00:59It is. It is. And I'm really loving it. After the initial first day, I thought this is going
01:05to be a damn squib. And I was so wrong. And yesterday, I think Saudi Arabia lit the fuse
01:11and Japan discontinued. I hope this continues because we need to see some good matches and
01:17I hope we see a new champion as well.
01:20Nick, did you see that coming? I mean, we had a huge shock yesterday. I think we're
01:24still trying to get over that shock from yesterday. And then today, Japan have given us another
01:28huge surprise result.
01:29Yeah, it was just like the Argentina match, you know, the 1-0 to Germany in the first
01:36half. But, you know, the second, you know, whether it's the weather, the conditions,
01:41we've had a couple of matches where there will be really a game of two halves. The momentum,
01:47the fitness, the change of mood and momentum in that second half. Japan just kept going
01:55and going and going. And what an exciting second half. And, you know, as we said, Group
02:01B was tipped to be a group of death, you know, with three matches. You know, where does that
02:07leave Germany with two matches? They cannot make a mistake. So big teams are struggling
02:15in the first opening matches. So it's quite exciting to see the next steps.
02:22They started very similarly, didn't they, Nick? The last World Cup in Russia, 2018.
02:27They lost their first game against Mexico and we know what happened there. So this is
02:30an absolutely terrible start. But Sha, I'm just comparing the two games that we've seen
02:35now from Germany, the performances rather, from Germany and Argentina, both very complacent
02:40performances, don't you think? I mean, it looks like they've taken the lead against
02:44smaller opposition and then they've taken their foot off the gas and they've paid the
02:48price both teams have.
02:49Iman, you're right. I think they underestimated the teams. Although Hansi Flick yesterday
02:55said that they are not underestimating Japan. But what we saw on the pitch is they took
03:02it a little bit trifle easier, I thought. And not just that, both the teams, Argentina
03:09as well as Germany, they seem to be running out of ideas because they lack the creativity
03:15to unlock the defenses. See, Japan was crowding out at the top of the penalty box, but there
03:21is no way where Germany could unlock it. They couldn't shift the flank or try to cross over
03:28or none of those things. And not just that, I was not too happy with Flick's substitutions.
03:33I thought he took out Gundogan a little too early. I think that they suffered from that.
03:39And one more substitution, I just can't remember again, Kostom badly. On the other hand, Japan's
03:45substitutions worked like a dream.
03:49They really did. Nick, those two substitutions in particular, I mean, it literally changed
03:53the game. There was 15 minutes remaining. They were losing 1-0. But credit to Japan
03:57in that whole second half, they came out fighting. It was a completely different team because
04:01in the first half, you could tell that they were sitting back. You know, they looked a
04:04bit nervous about going forward. And Germany were very much in control that game. They
04:08had all the possession, they had all the chances. They were creating lots of chances,
04:11in fact. And in fact, Gundogan, before he came off Schalm, he actually hit the post
04:15just before he was substituted. It could have been 2-0. That would have been game over.
04:19But Nick, look, Germany, we know they've got a new coach there. Well, he's been there for
04:22a year now, but we're still probably used to seeing Joachim Lowe on the touchline. It's
04:26obviously Hansi Flick there now, former Bayern Munich coach. They've got a brand new young
04:29team. They've got lots of young players in that team. People like Jamal Moussala, who's
04:34going to be a really good player. Kimmich, he's a really good midfielder. Havertz is
04:38there, he's up front. Gnabry, Müller is still playing. There's a lot of quality in that
04:43team. They surely will bounce back from this result, won't they, Nick?
04:46Yeah, we should hope so, like to think. But you almost watched that second half and it
04:52was no surprise that Japan came and got those couple of... They deserved it. It wasn't luck,
04:58it wasn't whatever. You just felt that momentum. And Germany just couldn't step up in the second
05:03half. They kind of just were a bit flat. Is it the weather? What is it? It'd be nice
05:09to see how a couple of the stronger teams, the favourites, Argentina, they kind of both
05:15second half lost their grip on the match. So it'd be interesting to see behind the scenes
05:20exactly what's happening.
05:22Very surprising. It will be very interesting to see. Well, it's a level playing field.
05:26They're all playing in the same conditions, but it just feels that, well, the first two,
05:31these two shock results that we've had, seems to be a lot of complacency involved. It looks
05:35like the players aren't even putting 100% in. It looks like they've thought they've
05:39got a goal up and that's the game wrapped up and they've been surprised both times.
05:43But Sham, does it feel like the days of dominance from the teams that always end up winning
05:47these tournaments, the usual teams? Is it coming to an end? I mean, wouldn't it be good
05:51to see a new team, maybe from Asia, maybe from the Arab world, from Africa, winning
05:56the World Cup? I mean, it's always the same old winner. So maybe this is a chance for
06:00a brand new team to go on and win it.
06:02Yeah, I'll answer your question in two parts. One thing you asked, you said the level playing
06:08field. Yes, it is. The field is leveled up quite a lot simply because players from all
06:14countries, not just Europe or Latin America, but even players from Asia are playing in
06:20the European leagues. They're playing in France. They're playing in the Buddhist League.
06:26They're playing in the Premier League. They are even playing in La Liga and Serie A.
06:30So, which is why you find these players very technically, very, very good. And they are
06:37not overawed by the occasion. They know the pressure of playing in a cauldron-like atmosphere.
06:43Which is why I was very, very surprised to see that Takumu Asano, that second goal, what
06:53a gem. What a goal. And the amazing control he had. The way he brought the ball down on
07:00the control was amazing. His first touch was incredible. And his third touch was the tap
07:07towards the goal. Okay, well, no one has to blame him for a bit of that. Because that
07:11was still a tight angle. And I thought, no one didn't cover it properly. Or he could
07:17have even advanced to narrow the angle further. But even considering all that, that goal was
07:23a stunner, really. That shows how much these players have progressed and their skills and
07:29techniques have improved by playing in the leagues abroad. Because earlier, if they were
07:35playing in the domestic leagues, there is a ceiling. Beyond that, you can't. So, you play
07:41against new players, players of higher skill and technique. You learn from them. You yourself
07:47improve. That's precisely what's happened here. Then, about a new champion, I think it's a little
07:52too premature to think of a new champion. But although I would certainly love to have a new
07:58champion. Because I don't want to see Germany winning again, Brazil winning again, Argentina
08:04winning again. We have seen them. So, even before the tournament starts, you ask, who is the
08:10winner? You can straight away give four teams. And they have been winning so many titles in the
08:15past. So, it's going to be one of the four. But unfortunately, this time also, it might be
08:20one of the favourites might win. But I would enjoy the run of the underdogs.
08:30Especially the teams which are from Asia. So, I'm really, really looking forward to the
08:37tournament. Nick, are you a betting man? Are you going to put some money on either Japan or Saudi
08:41Arabia to go all the way? What about underdogs England?
08:49We'll see. I think many of the teams we saw earlier, Morocco, Croatia. Croatia were in the
08:58final. Quite a surprise in 2018. They've seen a few matches where teams have approached it.
09:06They don't want to lose that first match. So, we've seen a group. We've seen three
09:110-0's at the moment. In 2018, there was only one 0-0 match. Already, we've had three 0-0's. So,
09:22it seems that some teams are approaching it negatively. Don't lose in the three stages of
09:28the group match. And others have gone for it. And it's great to see, you know, whether it's
09:34Saudi or whether it's Japan, go for it. And, you know, let's see them respond. And, you know,
09:41it's World Cup. As Sham says, there are a lot of international players playing all over the world.
09:48And I'd like to see a surprise. But, you know, the next couple of matches, the group stages,
09:54see how the group stages last 16, how it pans out. But it's an open World Cup, definitely.
10:02I haven't a clue. England's my favourite, but I have not a clue. Brazil tomorrow. There's one.
10:08You'll come to the previews for tomorrow. Let's see how Brazil cope. And let's see if they're
10:15still the dominant force. We think they may be. But just speaking of teams going for it, Nick,
10:19tonight, it's just finished. Spain 7, Costa Rica 0. I mean, I thought getting six goals against
10:25Iran was really impressive by England. But Spain have gone goal crazy today. Sham, did you see
10:30that? And how impressed were you by that superb performance by them? From the very beginning,
10:34they just tore Costa Rica apart at will. And it could have been way more than seven. In fact,
10:39it could have been double figures tonight. They were that good.
10:43I mean, I was stunned. I was blown away. Simply one of the reasons was I haven't
10:47watched Spain in a long time. And I remember you writing about Spain and saying that they
10:52are a bunch of youngsters. And I was looking forward to seeing them. Then the margin of
10:58defeat, 7-0, it just took me by surprise simply because the Costa Rican goalkeeper is Kyler
11:05Navas. And Kyler Navas, if you remember, he was the guy who shadowed Brazil. And
11:11do you remember the performance against Brazil in Brazil? And so,
11:16see, I never thought they could put seven past him. Not just that. These are youngsters. It looks
11:23like they're snuck out of school and it's on and on to a football pitch. And these are those guys,
11:29like Gavi. And I've seen Fernando Ferrantes in the Euros. So, I know how good he is. But Gavi
11:38was a surprise. So was Rodrigo. All these guys, you name it. Like the Marco, what's his name?
11:48Marco Asensio. The guy who scored the second goal. That, he too was very good.
11:54Asensio.
11:55Danny, almost. All these guys. And these guys are very fresh-faced guys. And I swear,
12:03their technique is so good. Their skills are on a high level. And four years down the line,
12:09Spain is going to be an amazing side. Seven goals? I don't see that coming.
12:15No, I don't think anyone saw that coming. Seven goals tonight against Costa Rica. They
12:19absolutely made their mark already on the tournament. Right, let's have a quick chat
12:24about tomorrow's games. Portugal start their campaign tomorrow against Ghana. But obviously,
12:30we know the headlines have been dominated by one man. It's Cristiano Ronaldo. And it's all for the
12:35wrong reasons. Sharm, do you think what's happened there at Man United with this contract being torn
12:40up now, will this have a negative impact on Portugal?
12:46Not so much. Simply because Portugal is not just for Ronaldo. I mean, you have
12:53Bruno Fernandes and a host of other players of very good calibre. I mean, Ronaldo is their
13:01talisman. I mean, it's like Messi for them. So they look heavily towards him to score. But that
13:07doesn't mean that he is the only player there. So even given all the problems Ronaldo is facing,
13:14I think when Ronaldo steps onto the pitch, I think his sole focus will be winning the tournament
13:20or winning that match or scoring goals. And with the support he's going to get from the
13:24rest of the Portugal side, I don't think those distractions are a problem.
13:29Nick's nodding his head in agreement. Nick, you think, well, he's 37 now. He's not been
13:33playing much for Man United. But this is the only trophy which he hasn't won, the World Cup.
13:38So he's fresh. He's rearing to go. He's left Man United. He hasn't got that pressure on his mind
13:43anymore. Do you think it will disrupt the team? Or do you think they're going to be, like Sharm says,
13:47they're going to just, well, Ghana, to be honest, are the lowest ranked team. So if there's another
13:51shock tomorrow, I think that's it. We have to just switch up because it's going to be too much.
13:55How do you think it's going to go tomorrow, Nick? I think he's had so much noise around in the last,
14:02is it, week. Maybe he's got a point to prove and just show everyone, because the jury's been out
14:08the last couple of months, his second stint at Man United. And maybe he's got a point to prove.
14:15And he's very loyal and always been committed to Portugal. So let's watch this space. An exciting
14:21match tomorrow. Let's watch this space, indeed. And just finally, Sharm's favourite team, Brazil,
14:26are finally in action tomorrow. They're playing against Serbia, who aren't any pushovers. But I
14:31think with Brazil's quality and attack, with the likes of Rafinha, Neymar, Richarles and Vinicius
14:36Junior, they've got such a wealth of attack. I mean, yeah, Serbia will probably put up,
14:42you know, two banks or four and make it very difficult for them to break down.
14:45But Sharm, do you think Brazil, with that quality and attack, well, not just the attack
14:50all round, Brazil should be too strong for Serbia tomorrow, shouldn't they?
14:55I mean, on paper, you're absolutely right. They should be too strong for Serbia.
15:01But I would like them to get that first match out of the way, because the first matches are
15:07often tricky. And as we saw in the case of Argentina and Germany, I don't want Brazil
15:15to step on a banana skin in Serbia. So I mean, they have too much quality not to slip. But
15:21I mean, first, I would be holding my breath.
15:25Nick, what do you think?
15:27I'm a big Mitrovic fan, so he can bully your defence anywhere. So maybe first goal is important.
15:35But, you know, Brazil, it's a test. We'll see. And this time tomorrow, will it be seven? Will
15:43it be four? Will it be Serbia, Brazil? Who knows? That's the excitement of the World Cup,
15:49as proved the last few days.
15:51You're absolutely right. We just don't know what it's going to be. With the way it's gone,
15:55just to recap, Japan have caused an absolute huge shock again after Saudi Arabia did the
15:59same yesterday. They've beaten Germany 2-1. I mean, that is absolutely incredible.
16:04That's all from the guys. Head to gulfnews.com for all the latest news and reviews and much more.
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16:13meantime, take care and good night.