The SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team), who are seeking to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in team history, got off to a flying start at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ with a victory over Germany in their opening group stage match on Wednesday 23 November at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha. The team overcame a deficit to win 2-1 thanks to the goals from DOAN Ritsu (SC Freiburg) and ASANO Takuma (VfL Bochum), two of their second half substitutes.

The Japan National Team made an impact on the stage of the World Cup with a late comeback against the mighty Germans, who have won the tournament four times since the West Germany era.

In the opening match of Group E, Japan’s Head Coach MORIYASU Hajime started GONDA Shuichi (Shimizu S-Pulse) in goal with SAKAI Hiroki (Urawa Red Diamonds), ITAKURA Kou (Borussia MG), YOSHIDA Maya (FC Schalke 04), and NAGATOMO Yuto (FC Tokyo) forming the four-man defence line. ENDO Wataru (VfB Stuttgart) and TANAKA Ao (Fortuna Dusseldorf) were given the start as defensive midfielders with ITO Junya (Stade de Reims), KAMADA Daichi (Eintracht Frankfurt), and KUBO Takefusa (Real Sociedad) positioned beneath the lone striker MAEDA Daizen (Celtic FC). .....

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