Japan come from behind to stun mighty Germany

In the nick of time: Japan’s Takuma Asano (right) scores the winner against Germany at the Khalifa International Stadium. — AP

LATE goals by Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano gave Japan an incredible 2-1 comeback victory over Germany in the World Cup yesterday after the four-time champions had looked to be cruising to victory via an Ilkay Gundogan penalty but paid a fatal price for missing chances.

The shock result was a repeat of their 2018 World Cup nightmare when, as defending champions, they lost their opener to Mexico and, after another defeat by South Korea, were condemned to an unheard of group-stage exit.