WOLFSBURG:
Japan humiliated Euro 2024 hosts Germany 4-1 in a pleasant worldwide on Saturday, piling the stress on struggling coach Hansi Flick.
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.
Junya Ito and Ayase Ueda scored both facet of a Leroy Sane strike within the first half, Japan taking a 2-1 lead into halftime as the house followers jeered the house facet.
Germany continued their limp efficiency within the second half, with Japan scoring twice within the closing 5 minutes by means of Takuma Asano and Ao Tanaka, to seal a dominant efficiency.
Flick promised earlier than the sport Germany would “play our core group”, pledging to shelve an experimental method which noticed his facet win simply one among 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 an alternative laid off a move for Sane, who calmly slotted dwelling.
The beautifully labored aim 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 move by means of 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 by means of Asano — who scored the winner in Qatar — after which from Tanaka in harm time to spherical out a shocking and dominant efficiency.
Regardless of a historic reluctance to sack managers, notably so near a significant event, Germany could also be pressured 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 group which might 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 received a document 4 occasions.