Germany v Japan match preview; Germany on a mission to rewrite history
On a mission to consign dismal memories of Russia 2018 to history, Germany kick off their World Cup 2022 Group E campaign against Japan at the Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday.
With fellow four-time winners Italy not present at the tournament, Germany can equal Brazil’s long-standing record of five World Cup crowns should they go all the way in Qatar.
Die Mannschaft were eliminated from the group stage four years ago, while their Asian counterparts were on the verge of stunning Belgium in the last 16 before being eliminated.
The curse of the defending champions was well and truly alive for Germany at the 2018 World Cup, as the side formerly led by Joachim Low saw the defence of their 2014 crown end at the first hurdle before a last-16 elimination to England in the recent European Championships.
Defeat at Wembley marked the end of Low’s celebrated tenure as serial winner Hansi Flick embarked on a new adventure with the national team, who may be going under the radar somewhat as Argentina and Brazil earn the favourites tags.
On the other hand, an underwhelming record of just two wins from their last eight games has not served to increase the German confidence, as Die Mannschaft finished third in their Nations League group with Italy, England and Hungary before beating Oman 1-0 in a warm-up friendly last Wednesday.
Die Mannschaft held the honour of being the first team to qualify for the World Cup finals with the exception of host nation in Qatar and a 1-0 loss to Mexico in 2018 marked the first time since 1986 that they had failed to secure all three points on the opening matchday.
Japan have made a habit of going out in the group stage before reaching the last 16 of the World Cup in their six tournaments since 1998, which does not mean well for them but qualifying from 15 wins from 18 and a record 58 goals is certainly a good omen.
Moriyasu’s side pitted their wits against fellow World Cup foes Canada in their warm-up friendly but fell to a 2-1 defeat, and they have only claimed five wins from 21 games in the World Cup finals as they attempt to upset the apple cart in Group E.
However, Japan’s most recent World Cup success did come on the opening day of the 2018 tournament – a 2-1 victory over Colombia – and Moriyasu’s side now endeavour to follow in the footsteps of close neighbours South Korea, who defeated Germany in the Russia competition four years ago.
Head to Head
Germany and Japan have never locked horns in a competitive match before, but it will not come as much of a surprise to learn that the four-time World Cup champions are unbeaten in both of their previous meetings, winning a 2004 friendly 3-0 before a 2-2 draw in another exhibition game two years later.
Team News and Line up
Germany are expected to be working with a fully-fit squad for the opening matchday with Leroy Sane excluded. Niclas Fullkrug recovered from illness and the duo of Thomas Muller and Antonio Rudiger also returned to full training over the weekend.
As for Japan, Karou Mitoma and Wataru Endo have overcome illness and a head injury respectively to make themselves available, while Sporting Lisbon midfielder Hidemasa Morita is back from a calf problem and could be fit enough to start.
Arsenal right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu was rested against Canada following his recent muscular problem but should be fine to take his place in the team most likely alongside 122-cap skipper Maya Yoshida in the heart of defence.
Germany possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Kehrer, Sule, Rudiger, Raum; Kimmich, Gundogan; Hofmann, Musiala, Gnabry; Muller
Japan possible starting lineup:
Gonda; Sakai, Tomiyasu, Yoshida, Nagatomo; Morita, Endo, Kamada; Ito, Asano, Minamino
Prediction
Germany 3-1 Japan
Germany did not exactly cover themselves in glory in the UEFA Nations League and are still haunted by the memories of the 2018 World Cup, Die Mannschaft traditionally perform well on the opening matchday and are working with a fully-fit squad, so one can only picture Flick’s side getting off to the perfect start.
