Izuchukwu Okosi
Germany international of Nigerian descent Jammal Musiala was impressive on Wednesday in the opening Group E clash of Qatar 2022 World Cup against a resilient Japan.
The Sumarai Blues shocked the 1990 World Cup winners with a 1-0 win at the Khalifa International Stadium with two late goals.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Asians had a goal courtesy of Wataru Endo disallowed early in the game but it was quite a promising World Cup bow for the teenage star, Musiala, despite the shocking loss suffered by his adopted nation.
The Nigeria Football Federation made an attempt to cap-tie the youth prodigy but he opted to play for Germany.
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Another rising star of Nigerian descent, Karim Adeyemi was an unused substitute for Germany in the match which mirrored the shocking defeat of same scoreline 24 hours earlier which saw Argentina complete with Lionel Messi humiliated by Saudi Arabia.
Musiala created two first half chances and also same numbers in the second but never quite delivered on his XG as his goal scoring chances were disappointingly wasted.
Germany had a goal disallowed for offside after Kai Haverrtz slotted home the ball from a Serge Gnabry cross. Thomas Miller was flagged offside in the buildup to that effort.
Manchester City midfielder Gundogan put Germany ahead from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute but the Japanese denied them several times afterwards.
Germany keeper, Manuel Neuer showed his quality in the second half with a string of world class saves but had no answers to the quick fire goals scored by Ritsu Doan and Tamura Asano late on in the 75th and 83rd minutes.
Musiala was substituted off by Mario Gotze in the 79th minute.
The defeats of some heavily favoured teams to lift the World Cup in the hands of so-called lesser and unfacied teams will be the watchword for teams like Germany in the second round of group games.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
