Match #11 - Germany v. Japan

Played more like Halfkrug today. Where's Klose?

 

At first glance I thought they were all doing the Jogi Löw.

 

German media attempting to deflect attention from the result using the Embarrassed-Girl-Caught-in-her-Undies look the team produced during the pre-match photos.

 

Tidying up after one of their greatest #FIFAWorldCup wins 👏

Huge respect to these Japanese fans 🙌 #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/RVwLwykPeq

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 24, 2022

After an historic victory against Germany at the #FIFAWorldCup on Match Day 4, Japan fans cleaned up their rubbish in the stadium, whilst the @jfa_samuraiblue left their changing room at Khalifa International Stadium like this. Spotless.

Domo Arigato.👏🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/NuAQ2xrwSI

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) November 23, 2022

 

Happy for Japan especially after Rudiger's move.
Japan did really well in the 2nd half, Gonda made up for the PK he gave with some great saves and the coach was well inspired to change to a 3 back formation.
Now Japan is in a really good position but they have to avoid the same mistake Germany did and respect Costa Rica. We could see Germany out early and Japan playing Spain for the group ranking in the last round.

 

Spain trounced Germany 6-0 two years ago in a friendly.
Things haven't improved much for Germany and the squads of the two sides are almost the same.

I am not very hopeful.

 

Spain scored one less goal today than they did in the whole of 2010. Amazing.

 

The German approach tactically has relied on the combination of high press, athleticism, running, and strong physique to dominate possession. But once you take the risks that come with this approach, you need to finish your chances. While this German team shows better ability to create chances compared to the WC18 side, its been a while since Germany have produced a world class striker. And I'm not limiting the definition of world class; someone at the level of Klose or Klinsmann would do.

 

Man, that team was boring.

 

Can Costa Rica beat Japan?

 

Doubtful.

 

I think we will have the first 6-6-6-0 final standings since the 1994 WC. Germany is capable of beating Spain. The 2nd place will then come down to which of Germany and Japan will beat Costa Rica with the highest scoreline.

 

I know I will be unpopular by saying this but it becomes pious claptrap after a while. Those who live in Japan report that their cities are as dirty as any other city in the back alleys.

Many people think this is a Korean thing after WC 2002 but give credit where it is due; Japanese started it and Koreans thought it was a good idea and did a sort of cultural appropriation in WC 2002. But the Korean public heavily criticized the act as being phony and imitating Japanese, which they have done a lot in the past but which is no longer fashionable or even acceptable. Koreans now do this for their section only or not at all.

Anyway, Antonio Rüdiger's stupid antics galvanized Japanese players and heavily contributed to the shocking upset. I have not seen anyone who brought up this aspect of the game. I cannot help but notice that he is Black and extreme anti-Asian racism is shown among many Black players like Dembele, Shaquille O'Neal, Black comedians like Steve Harvey, Jason Whitlock and the entire American rap music community.