Chengdu, September 10 (Reporter Bian Liqun) The national football team drew 1:1 at home to Malaysia, and seven hours after being booed, the same scene was played out at home in Germany.
In the early morning of the 10th, Beijing time, the Japanese team defeated the German team 4:1 away, which is another victory against the German team after the reversal victory of the World Cup in Qatar at the end of last year.
The German team, which was thinking of "revenge", was stunned and subdued by the Japanese team.
Although thousands of miles away and the level of football development are very different, the mood of Chinese fans at this moment may be as mixed as that of German fans.
Japan beat Germany 4-1 away. Image source: Japan Football Federation social media
Double kill
When Germany and Japan meet again, perhaps most people will not expect that it will be a more "explosive" process and result than when they played in the World Cup in Qatar.
The Japanese team was the main team, and Junya Ito scored in the 11th minute. Eight minutes later, Germany equalised by Sane.
But just three minutes later, Japan led again, with Junya Ito assisting Kiyo Ueda's goal.
Late in the match, Japan scored two goals in a row, Kubo provided two assists, and Asano Takuma and Tanaka helped Japan extend the score.
In the end, Japan defeated Germany 4:1 away to complete the "double kill" against Germany.
Japanese players celebrate victory. Image source: Japan Football Federation social media
Served
When Japan beat Germany this time, no media used the word "upset" again.
Japan's Hidemasa Morita bluntly said after the game that we played with the mentality of being able to win, not wanting to win, so we were able to play without thinking too much.
The German team finally realized that the loss to Japan was no longer an accident.
At the World Cup in Qatar, Japan defeated Germany 2-1. Photo by China News Network reporter Bian Liqun
In a previous interview, German star Kimmich also said that there are no good memories against Japan, and although this match against Japan is not as big as in the World Cup, the team must win.
And after the disastrous defeat to Japan, Kimmich has recognized reality: "It was a well-deserved defeat and Japan had a chance to score more goals. We obviously didn't push enough, we couldn't show our quality on the pitch and we lacked confidence. ”
Looking at the livid-faced German coach Frick, the confused German defender Antonio Rudiger, and the huge boos erupted from the home fans... Are Chinese fans familiar with this scene?
After the game, the German team match poster highlighted the huge 1:4 wording. Image source: Team Germany social media
The gap is widening
Just seven hours before Japan's 4-1 away win over Germany, the national football team was home in Chengdu to draw 1-1 with world No. 136 Malaysia.
In most people's previous perceptions, Malaysia is a "fish belly" team, but from the perspective of the game, the national football team ranked 80th in the world, whether it is the one-on-one technical level of players or the effect of overall tactical execution, does not actually have any advantage, which is by no means an unexpected draw.
The national football team drew 1-1 with Malaysia. Photo by China News Network reporter Bian Liqun
Rival coach Jin Juikun confidently said before the game: "I have a lot of respect for Chinese football, but I'm sorry, I still have to say that I am very confident in this game. ”
This confidence comes from hard power. Malaysian football, which has developed rapidly in recent years, is gradually narrowing the gap with Chinese football.
Chinese football is getting farther and farther away from the first-class level in Asia represented by Japanese football.
Group photo before the match between the national football team and Malaysia. Photo by China News Network reporter Zhang Lang
Looking at Japan's line-up for the away win over Germany, it's more home than they're on the road.
In the starting lineup, except for the goalkeeper, all players in Europe are travelers. The goal-scoring Takuma Asano and Bi Tanaka both played for the Bundesliga club.
Together with players such as Hang Endo, Daichi Kamata, Yoki Ito, and Itakura Aya who have previously played or are currently playing for Bundesliga clubs, nearly half of the players who have German league experience are present.
Although it was expected that the German team would pull off the "revenge" trend, Japanese coach Hoichi Mori was still very calm to further investigate and train young marginal internationals such as Kiyo Ueda, Yusei Sugawara, and Keisuke Osho on the basis of the Qatar World Cup lineup to "metabolize" the team.
In contrast, in today's national football team, there are as many as 13 players over the age of 30 in the 24-man roster.
Even if some of the young players in the Asian Games team and the Olympic team will be added to the national football team in next month's training camp, how many players can really play a decisive role and become the immediate force for the World Preliminary Round?
Although national football coach Jankovic has not yet given a clear answer, the answer is already in the harsh reality. (End)
[Editor: Tian Boqun]