Japan scores another World Cup upset

ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/ AFP

Japan defeated four-times champions Germany 2-1 in their FIFA World Cup Group E match on Wednesday.

Goals from substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano in the last 15 minutes saw Japan register another Asian upset in the tournament, a day after Saudi Arabia beat former champions Argentina 2-1.

The Germans had dominated the contest at the Khalifa International Stadium and taken the lead with a 33rd minute penalty from Ilkay Guendogan after Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda had fouled wing back David Raum.

The second goal never came, however, and Japan's raids into the German half became more and more frequent, culminating in Doan's equaliser and a brilliant finish from Asano eight minutes later.

The defeat was the third in a row in the opening match of a major championship for Germany after a loss to Mexico at the 2018 World Cup, when they bowed out in the first round as champions, and to France at Euro 2020.