Japan humiliated Euro 2024 hosts Germany 4-1 in a pleasant worldwide on Saturday, piling the strain on struggling coach Hansi Flick who defiantly insisted he stays the appropriate man for the job.
Japan, who additionally contributed to Germany’s group stage exit on the World Cup with a 2-1 win in Qatar final yr, scored twice in every half.
The defeat raises extra questions over Flick’s future, 9 months out from Germany internet hosting the European Championships.
A “brutally disenchanted” Flick refused to again down after the sport.
“I believe we’re doing nicely — and I am the appropriate supervisor. However I do know issues can change in skilled soccer and I am unable to see what’s to return,” he stated.
Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan stated merely “we’re not ok proper now, it is a utterly bitter day — all of us must ask questions of ourselves.”
Junya Ito and Ayase Ueda scored both aspect of a Leroy Sane strike within the first half, Japan taking a 2-1 lead into halftime as the house followers jeered the house aspect.
Germany continued their limp efficiency within the second half, with Japan scoring twice within the last 5 minutes via Takuma Asano and Ao Tanaka, to seal a dominant efficiency.
Japan supervisor Hajime Moriyasu stated his aspect “truly had many extra probabilities to attain” however “the primary factor is that we gained.”
“To win a recreation right here in Germany, on this tough scenario, we’ve got completed nicely.”
Boos and whistles
Flick promised earlier than the sport Germany would “play our core crew”, pledging to shelve an experimental method which noticed his aspect win simply one in every of 5 video games since their disastrous World Cup exit.
Flick nonetheless began Nico Schlotterbeck at left-back, a place the Borussia Dortmund centre-back has performed solely twice in his senior profession, each occasions off the bench.
Schlotterbeck’s inexperience within the place confirmed, the defender shedding Japan winger Yukinari Sugawara after 11 minutes and permitting the winger to cross for Ito to attain the opener.
Germany equalised shortly after, freshly minted captain Ilkay Gundogan discovering Florian Wirtz on the sting of the field.
The playmaker, who has shone in Xabi Alonso’s table-topping Bayer Leverkusen midfield this season, formed to shoot however as a substitute laid off a go for Sane, who calmly slotted house.
The beautifully labored objective hinted at a Germany comeback however Japan would strike subsequent, Sugawara once more discovering house down Schlotterbeck’s proper flank.
The AZ Alkmaar winger discovered Ito, who threaded a go via the flat-footed Germany defence, permitting Ueda to attain.
The house followers’ silence turned to boos and whistles on the break, which continued into the second half as Germany dominated possession however failed to interrupt down a dogged Japanese defence.
With Germany chasing an equaliser, Japan scored twice late, first via Asano — who scored the winner in Qatar — after which from Tanaka in damage time to spherical out a surprising and dominant efficiency.
Regardless of a historic reluctance to sack managers, notably so near a serious match, Germany could also be compelled to half with custom, notably with former Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann seemingly ready within the wings.
Up subsequent for Germany is Tuesday’s assembly with France in Dortmund, a crew which will likely be delighted to capitalise on the house afforded by the German defence.
A 3rd win in a row continued Japan’s sturdy preparation for January’s Asia Cup in Qatar, a contest they’ve gained a report 4 occasions.
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