Japan players in action during a training session at Al Sadd SC Training Facilities 1, yesterday. REUTERS
Germany will not start as hot favourites to win this World Cup with reigning champions France, Brazil and England heavily tipped to claim the trophy in Qatar.
But coach Hansi Flick is not ruling his men out of the race to clinch the coveted trophy as they open their campaign against Japan at the Khalifa International Stadium, today.
After winning the World Cup in 2014, the Germans are without a major trophy coming off with a disastrous 2018 World Cup campaign when the defending champions were knocked out in the group stage, and loss to England in Euro 2020 quarter-finals still in their minds.
The Germans started both the major competitions with defeats, which is what the four-time world champions are looking to avoid.
Germany coach Hansi Flick
“The first game is extremely important. We lost our first game at the last Euros and we didn’t win the tournament, so I hope tomorrow we will win,” Germany captain Joshua Kimmich told reporters on the eve of their Group E opener.
Flick said his team is ready for the opening match, with the trophy their main goal.
“We are looking forward to the title. That is our goal. We have had very good training sessions in the last few days. The group is very strong and we will go into the games very positively,” said Flick, who replaced Joachim Low last year.
Germany will be without Leroy Sane after the Bayern Munich winger was ruled out for the opening game with a knee injury.
“It’s bitter but we have to do without Leroy. He’s a player who can make a difference. There is hope that he might be able to play on Sunday [against Spain].”
Flick said Thomas Mueller, who has been hampered by injury in recent months, can be an option as a replacement.
FROM LEFT: Germany’s Thilo Kehrer, Serge Gnabry, Ilkay Gundogan and Antonio Ruediger attend a training session at Al Shamal Stadium yesterday, on the eve of their match against Japan. AFP
“Today in training he did his job very well, we were happy with him,” said Flick. “So yes, we have one option more, thanks to Thomas Mueller.”
Asian giants Japan are making their seventh consecutive World Cup appearance, having qualified for the Round of 16 in 2002, 2010 and 2018 editions.
Flick said Japan boast good players, who are “tactically and technically very well trained.”
“It is a very big task that awaits us. But we’re going into the game well prepared. Anything is possible, you saw that today. Don’t underestimate an opponent,” he said referring to Saudi Arabia’s shock 2-1 victory over favourites Argentina at Lusail Stadium yesterday.
Japan’s coach Hajime Moriyasu
Meanwhile, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said his team is well prepared to face Germany.
“Our mission for the opening match is to show how we can play in this World Cup,” said Moriyasu.
“All the Asian teams want to do well and we have been preparing for this moment for a long time now. We have to understand Germany are very strong and I have studied everything so there are many ways how we can play against them,” he added.
Japan captain Maya Yoshida said the players are confident to challenge the title contenders in their opening match.
“We are feeling good but there are so many things we have to do to be absolutely ready. Some players are injured but we have changed our gear and we are ready to play,” he said.
When: Today at 4:00pm
Where: Khalifa International Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Key stats:
- Making their 20th World Cup appearance, Germany have won the title four times. After a surprise 1954 victory over favourites Hungary, they lifted the trophy as West Germany in 1974 and again in 1990 before their triumph at Brazil 2014.
- Japan did not play at a World Cup finals until 1998 but have qualified for all six editions since then, reaching the round of 16 three times.
- Germany crashed out in the opening stage as defending champions at the last World Cup, finishing bottom of their group after losses to Mexico and South Korea.
- Japan lost 3-2 to Belgium in the last 16 in Russia four years ago, giving up a two-goal lead and going out of the tournament to an injury
time winner.
Previous meetings:
- Germany and Japan have met twice in friendly internationals. Germany won the first 3-0 in Yokohama in 2004, while the second, a warm-up for the 2006 World Cup in Leverkusen, ended in a 2-2 draw.
