- ARAB NEWS
- 19 Apr 2024
Since 1975
Arab News Japan
DUBAI: Japan won its first match at the FIFA World Cup against four-time champions Germany at Al Khalifa Stadium in Doha on Wednesday, with the score at 2-1.
This is the second upset during this 2022 tournament in Qatar, with Saudi Arabia beating Argentina in yesterday’s match, with a similar scoreline.
Japan, which ranked 24th in the FIFA rankings, faced Germany, ranked 11th, for the first time in 16 years.
At a press conference held on Tuesday, Japan’s coach MORIYASU Hajime expressed his aspiration and said he hoped Japan would enter the match with the goal of “changing history.”
The game was the first time Japan’s national football team faced a European team that has won the World Cup title.
During the past three World Cups, Japan was eliminated during the first round.
Coach Moriyasu experienced the “Doha Tragedy” in 1993, when Japan missed out on qualifying for the World Cup for the first time during his playing days.
German Counterpart Hansi Flick said he was impressed by the impact Japanese players have had in the Bundesliga.
“I have to put myself as a bit of a fan of Japanese soccer,” the Germany coach said. “You have a team, players who are very well developed, technically as well as tactically. They’re really, really good. And we see that quality in the Bundesliga.”
In terms of predictions, many said the match would be a tough one, with both teams operating at a high caliber with quality football players.
Tomonosuke the Ninja, however, predicted Japan to win using Kasamawashi to guess the outcome.
Hi,everyone.
— 忍者 知之助 Tomonosuke Ninja (@TvAshura) November 22, 2022
My name is #Tomonosuke a #Ninja flom Mie #Japan.
FIFA World cup 2022 Qatar Tournament GROUP E#Germany VS #Japan Prediction.#QatarWorldCup2022 #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/5obawQkfC9
This was the lineup of the Japanese team playing on Wednesday:
