Germany vs Japan: Both teams aiming for strong start after 2018 frustration

Topics: TV Listings, TV Schedules, Germany, Japan, 2022 FIFA World Cup

Both Germany and Japan will be hoping to banish the bad memories from 2018 as they prepare to kick off their respective 2022 FIFA World Cup campaigns.

After their humiliating group stage exit four years ago, Germany will hope to show that the 2018 World Cup was just a fluke as they prepare to take on Japan on Wednesday. Now under the guidance of Hansi Flick, the man who led Bayern to six major titles during the 2019/2020 season, die Mannschaft have had their fair share of ups and downs over the past year. While they were the first team to secure qualification to the World Cup, Germany struggled during the Nations League, shockingly finishing behind Hungary in a group that was eventually won by Italy.

Overall, Germany come into this competition having won just two of their last eight across all comps, so there are naturally concerns as to whether this squad will have what it takes to become a serious force in Qatar. However, there is still a great deal of excitement about the 26-man squad Flick selected for this competition. Several of the veterans from prior World Cups, such as Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer, still remain, and Mario Gotze, the man who scored Germany's winner in the 2014 final, has been recalled back to the squad after years in the international wilderness. But it is the inclusion of several rising stars, including 18-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko and 19-year-old Jamal Musiala, that really has fans buzzing.

Moukoko, who was born in Cameroon, and arrived in Germany as a boy back in 2014, has been breaking records left and right since first featuring for Germany's under-16 side as a 12 year old in September 2017. Just five years later, he will have the chance to possibly set more records should he, as expected, get to feature in some of Germany's matches at this tournament.

Meanwhile, Japan were painfully close to dumping Belgium out of the competition and progressing to the final eight, only for their opponents somehow to come back and score three goals sans reply to send the Blue Samurai packing back at the 2018 World Cup. Hajime Moriyasu's men had a strong qualifying campaign, winning 15 out of their 18 matches, but will hope to overcome a frustrating track record that has seen them alternate between group stage and round of 16 exits since making their World Cup debut in 1998.

With Spain also in this group, it does look quite tough for Japan to be one of the two sides to qualify, and having lost 2-1 to Canada in their last warm-up prior to the tournament, it remains to be seen as to whether Japan will be able to step it up in order to avoid an early exit.

Team news: Germany vs Japan

Germany: Both Thomas Muller and Antonio Rudiger have returned to training over the weekend, so will likely be in the starting XI for this tie, while striker Niclas Fullkrug has reportedly recovered from illness.

Japan: Takehiro Tomiyasu was given a rest during his team's 2-1 loss to Canada recently due to a muscular issue, but should recover in time for Wednesday's match. Wataru Endo and Karou Mitoma have also recovered from a head injury and illness respectively to be involved in this upcoming match, but doubts still remain about the availability of Hidemasa Morita who is currently dealing with a calf injury.

Match facts: Germany vs Japan

This will be the first meeting for Germany and Japan at a World Cup
However, the two sides have met before, with die Mannschaft holding a record of W1 D1 from their two prior friendlies
Germany are featuring in their 20th World Cup - making them the first European side to achieve this feat
Japan are featuring in their seventh straight World Cup - which is second only to Korea's ten for teams from Asia
The Blue Samurai are hoping to avoid a frustrating pattern that has seen them alternate between a group stage and round of 16 exit...
...if this pattern holds, Japan, who got to the round of 16 in 2018, could be making an early exit this year
Japan have won just one of their last eight World Cup matches (D3 L4)