During their team photo, the Germans covered their mouths. They were making a statement for human rights.
There were rumours Germany captain Manuel Neuer was going to defy FIFA and wear the controversial pro-LGBTQ+ OneLove armband. He did not wear it in the end but his armband was checked by the referee. If Neuer wore the armband, he would start the game on a yellow card and potentially face further sanctions.
Contrary to many predictions, Japan started the game without Arsenal’s Tomiyasu and former Liverpool attacker Minamino. Sule unexpectedly started as a right-back for Germany, who have a formidable starting eleven on paper, even in the absence of Sane.
Japan’s current team have significantly more European pedigree in their team than in past tournaments.
Unlike Saudi Arabia yesterday, Japan went with a cautious, disciplined approach, for the most part setting up a low block and only pressing in their defensive quarter. They hardly mustered possession and created only sporadic attacks against Germany who had an obvious physical advantage against Japan’s midfielders and attackers.
Before Germany’s first goal, Japanese right-back Sakai was too narrow in his positioning, often leaving Germany left-back Raum in acres of space.
Japan paid the price for this flaw in their set-up, when Raum latched onto a ball lofted over the top, inducing alarm for Japan’s goalkeeper Gondo. He lacked composure and made a rash error which led to a penalty.
In the 2nd half, Japan brought on Tomiyasu to beef up the defence and made offensively-oriented substitutions to chase a goal.
Japan took a very unlikely lead after Itakura caught Schlotterbeck out and played a great ball for Asano who did well to fend off his defender and blast the winner past Neuer, sparking Japanese hysteria.
Bar the penalty, Japan’s goalkeeper Gonda was faultless and immense. He’s the Player of the Match despite a penalty concession.
Germany had the overwhelming preponderance of possession but were not threatening enough in the penalty area. Germany have striker problems, a recurring theme of their squads. Havertz was poor. He lacked threat and presence up front and offered little else. 2nd choice option Moukoko is barely 18 years old.
With centre-back Sule at right-back, Germany lacked an attacking outlet on the right. A possible alternative would be to play Kimmich as the right-back with Goretzka taking his place.
The Japanese support was incredible and enthusiastic. Even in the ecstasy of their win, they classily cleaned up the stands thoroughly, like they always do. The players also left the dressing room spotless as usual. The whole world knows they would have done the same even if Japan lost.
When Germany were winning and in control of the game, Rudiger exhibited an act of atrocious sportsmanship in a situation where he knew he had beaten his Japanese counterpart to the ball. It was disrespectful to his opponents. With or without the eventual German loss, Antonio Rudiger looked like a jackass. Though e has suffered racism from fans and complained about it, Rudiger did not extend his expectations of sportsmanship to himself and his act was very ugly and dishonourable.
Rudiger’s act made me root for the underdogs Japan even more. It’s like how scriptwriters make the villains in shows do reprehensible acts towards the protagonist, making the audience more emotionally invested in the protagonist’s fortunes.
In the next match, Spain played a game of sheer dominance against minnows Costa Rica, routing them 7-0.
Spain opted to play Rodri at centre-back instead of Garcia or Torres, so they could fit both Busquets and Rodri in the lineup. They also started without a natural striker, playing Asensio in that role instead of Morata.
As a result Spain played with an excess of midfielders and played a supreme passing game.
In the game, Spain recorded:
The highest possession ever in a World Cup match
The most passes ever completed in a World Cup match.
Zero shots faced
Zero corners faced
Zero bookings
🤯
Spain’s next opponent is Germany, who can scarcely afford another loss. It’ll be the highest-level clash of the World Cup 2022 Group Stages.
If Spain dominate and win convincingly against Germany, they’ll be a firm favourite.
BLOGOPUS 