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Germans told me it would be an easy game against Japan. Ritsu Doan gets back at them

You need to know this about FIFA, the football World Cup you couldn’t watch last night, but want to sound smart about at the office water cooler today.

Yes, Express has your FOMOF covered. That’s Fear of Missing Out (on) Football.

Check out our name-dropping checklist for Day 12: JAPAN vs SPAIN

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According to Ritsu Doan’s Instagram caption, it’s often called a miracle, but I believe it’s inevitable. Getting your team into the knockouts of the world cup by beating Spain should be THE moment of your life. In spite of this, it is difficult to place it above his goal against Germany in their opening game, which was an emotionally charged affair for a variety of reasons.

After Doan equalized against Spain in the 75th minute, Takumo Asano scored in the 83rd minute – a goal that will live on for a long time because of the controversy surrounding it – to send Japan into the knockouts. Doan’s victory over the four-time champions in the opener would be icing on the cake after denying them twice a spot in the knockouts.

Before he left for the World Cup, Doan was constantly teased in the Bundesliga (Germany’s top league). Doan already taught them a harsh lesson ten days ago.

Before I came to the World Cup, people in Germany said Japan would be an easy game. ‘Don’t be silly,’ I thought while hearing this. So, I’m happy it turned out that way.” As a man, I think such a result shuts them up.”

Ritsu Doan celebrates after beating Spain 2-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Germany had a great chance to qualify in the final round of fixtures on Thursday. Spain was predicted to win the group with a win over Japan, and Germany would come in second with a win over Costa Rica. As much as the Germans beat Costa Rica 4-2, Japan were still rank outsiders to qualify at halftime.

In the second half, Doan, nicknamed the “Japanese Messi” for his dribbling skills, brought the Blue Samurais back into the game. Like Messi, he’s got a lethal left foot. This powerful strike from outside the box gave Japan the equalizer, and it’s going to make the big European clubs pay attention.

Doan is just 24, but he’s played for five clubs already. The Dutch club Groningen came calling after he won Asian Young Footballer of the Year at Gamba Osaka and spent two seasons there before moving to PSV Eindhoven. After his impressive performance in the Eredevisie, Bundesliga clubs – which have become the go-to destination for Japanese players because of the good food and social life – knocked on his door. Aminia Bielefeld loaned Doan to Freiburg for the 2020-21 season before signing him.

At the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, Japan’s Ritsu Doan scores his team’s first goal. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

For intensive runs, he’s in the top five, and for sprints, he’s in the top 15. In spite of being one of the biggest stars at home, Doan has high aspirations. He told ESPN in a recent interview that if he were happy, he’d play for Manchester United, Real Madrid or Barcelona. When I was young, that was my dream. My bad thing is that I’m not happy, but my good thing is that I’m always striving to get better and better.”

The majority of players are loyal to their club, but Doan is frank about his assessment and future. Even though I’m only 24, I’ve already played for five clubs, and I can honestly say they are all great clubs, and now I’m happy to play for Freiburg.” If everything goes well, I should be at a bigger club. I’m not satisfied because of that,” he said.

The fact that Doan wants to play in England or Spain is quite remarkable. This isn’t the case for other Japan players, who mostly play in German Bundesliga – eight of the current World Cup squad play for German clubs – as they find it easy to get along with the people. Authentic Japanese food is easy to find in Germany – food is a major part of Japanese culture – and over the years we’ve found it to be a safe environment. He has big aspirations, so he’ll have to get out of his comfort zone. With performances like this, the call may not be far off.

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