Germany vs Japan – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup
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THE FACTS
When is Germany vs Japan on and what time does it start? Germany vs Japan will take place on Wednesday 23rd November, 2022 – 13:00 (UK)
Where is Germany vs Japan taking place? Germany vs Japan will take place at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar
Where can I get tickets for Germany vs Japan? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Germany vs Japan
What channel is Germany vs Japan on in the UK? Germany vs Japan will be televised live on ITV
Where can I stream Germany vs Japan in the UK? Germany vs Japan can be streamed live on the ITV Hub
THE LOWDOWN
GERMANY
- Following their 2018 embarrassment of exiting the World Cup in the group stage for the first time in the tournament’s current format of four-team groups followed by a knockout stage, four-time winners Germany are aiming for redemption in 2022.
- This marks the first major tournament since the 2006 World Cup that Germany will not be under the command of Joachim Low, who left his role as head coach following EURO 2020 to be replaced by his former assistant Hansi Flick, winner of the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2020.
JAPAN
- Japan are all set for their seventh consecutive FIFA World Cup, a hugely impressive achievement, although they have never gone further than the Round of 16 stage over that period.
- Takumi Minamino and Daichi Kamada are two well-known names within European football, the latter a UEFA Europa League winner last season with Eintracht Frankfurt, whilst Maya Yoshida provides invaluable defensive experience.
THE TEAM NEWS
GERMANY
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kehrer, Sule, Rudiger, Raum; Kimmich, Gundogan; Gnabry, Musiala, Sane; Havertz
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Klostermann (Injured), ter Stegen (Illness)
JAPAN
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Schmidt; Yamane, Tomiyasu, Yoshida, H. Ito; Endo, Tanaka; Doan, Kamada, Minamino; Asano
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Hidemasa (Injured), Kaori (Illness), Wataru (Injured)
THE KEY STATS
- This is Germany’s 110th World Cup match, which is more than any other nation, at least for a day as Brazil will equal the total when they play their first game of the 2022 finals
- Germany have lost only one of their last 16 international matches (W10 D5), all since Hansi Flick took charge after EURO 2020
- Germany have lost only two of their last 24 World Cup group stage matches, however, two of those defeats did come within their three most recent fixtures
- If Germany fail to score it will be only the second time that they have played two successive World Cup matches without finding the net. The previous time was in back-to-back games at the finals in 1978 against Tunisia and Italy
- Defeat for Germany would see them lose two successive World Cup matches for the first time since they lost two back-to-back matches across the 1978 and 1982 tournaments
- Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer are both featuring at their fourth FIFA World Cup
- When Germany failed to qualify from their group at Russia 2018, it was the first time since 1938 that they had not progressed beyond the first stage at a FIFA World Cup final tournament
- Japan are contesting their seventh World Cup – and seventh in succession – they did not make their final tournament debut until 1998, but have been ever present since then
- Japan lost their final group game at the 2018 finals; they have not lost successive group stage matches since their debut in 1998
- Japan have lost only two of their last seven World Cup group stage matches against European opposition (W2 D3)
- Japan have scored two goals in three of their last four World Cup matches
- Japan have failed to score in four of their last five World Cup group stage matches against European opposition
- Eiji Kawashima and Yuto Nagatomo are both featuring at their fourth World Cup. Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi and Seigo Narazaki are the only two Japanese players have achieved this feat previously
THE PREDICTION
Following successive major tournament failures for Germany at both the 2018 FIFA World Cup and more recently EURO 2022, they cannot afford a similar fate in Qatar. Under the command of Flick, strong start to the group stage is expected from Die Mannschaft and Japan will have their work cut to contain them. When assessing both squads, Germany contain significantly more strength-in-depth and individual quality across the pitch compared to their opponents. Therefore, they are well worth backing to open their 2022 World Cup campaign with victory here over Japan.
TIP: GERMANY TO WIN
