When Takuma Asano joined Arsenal in 2016, then-manager Arsene Wenger touted the prospect. “He is very much in store for the future … We look forward to his development over the next few years,” he was quoted as saying by The Guardian on the time. Six years later, Wenger’s phrases got here true when he scored the winner for Japan in Qatar as they surprised European powerhouse Germany 2-1 within the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Japan had been saved from a number of high-quality probabilities created by Germany, whose 1–0 lead by the seventy fifth minute may have been considerably elevated if they’d been ruthless in entrance of aim, earlier than Japan turned the tables on a frenzy. created wave after wave of The assaults feigned fatigue and desperation among the many German defence. The equalizer got here after being overloaded on the left flank, and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer headed Kaoru Mitoma’s shot-cum-pass into the ft of Ritsu Donn. A draw would have been an incredible consequence for the Japanese, however as they seemed to defend the scoreline, one other alternative introduced itself.
A size ball, optimistic quite than correct, was taken in knowledgeable vogue by Asano, letting it fall to his aspect earlier than being trapped with an ideal contact past Germany’s running-back defender Nico Schlotterbeck. He then drove into the fitting nook of the field, heading off a problem from Schlotterbeck and moving into an intense taking pictures place at Neuer’s close to submit, earlier than taking pictures arduous and excessive into the roof of the German big’s internet. It was a second of utter genius, which units up occasions just like the World Cup. A feverish pitch of adoration adopted from the touring Japanese help, and it will definitely led to one of many group stage shocks.
JAPAN GOAL vs GERMANY (JAPANESE COMMENTARY 🇯🇵). pic.twitter.com/2H8Wi9RT30
– Don Peppino🤝 (@DonPeppinoo) November 23, 2022
Asano’s brilliance led Japan to a shock victory, however all through the match, Japan’s quickness in play – regardless of having little or no ball possession within the first half, matched Germany when it comes to aim threats, and arguably within the second half. had been much more harmful within the half. – the results of his familiarity with the German system. Five of Hajime Moriasu’s beginning XI ply their commerce within the German Bundesliga, as do three others on the bench, together with Asano.
nomadic profession
After making a promise again residence within the J-League, Asano landed a dream transfer to Arsenal, but it surely was a dream that by no means got here true. Despite being employed by the Gunners for 3 years, he was by no means given a piece allow, as he failed to fulfill the standards set by England’s Football Association (FA), to play on the high degree or for Japan’s worldwide staff in 24 Haven’t performed sufficient video games. Month length.
He first spent two years on mortgage at German aspect Stuttgart, scoring 9 objectives in 26 appearances. He then had a season-long mortgage spell at Hannover, the place alternatives had been few and much between, and was then launched by Arsenal and picked up by Serbian aspect Partizan Belgrade. Having returned to Germany final yr on account of two promising seasons within the Balkans, Vfl turned a mainstay in Bochum. His performances since becoming a member of the aspect in 2021 have led him to hitch the Japan aspect this yr, having didn’t make the lower in 2018 on account of an absence of enjoying time at membership degree.
Asano’s aim gave Japan a particular victory. The scenes at full-time on Wednesday had been extraordinary, with the stadium crammed with emotion as Japan’s bench stormed the pitch in celebration. It was one other massive win for an Asian nation over a soccer powerhouse after Salem Al-Dawsari’s excellent end noticed Saudi Arabia pull off one of many greatest upsets in World Cup historical past to beat Argentina 2-1. It was a second Japan would keep in mind for a very long time, a second made in Germany that sank German hearts.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
