Japan surprises Germany with late strike at World Cup

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DOHA — Substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano scored in the final 15 minutes as Japan beat four-time World Cup champions Germany 2-1. Group E opener on Wednesday.

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Germany dominated the match at the Khalifa International Stadium, taking the lead in the 33rd minute with a penalty from Ilkay Gendogan after Japanese goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda fouled wing-back David Raum.

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However, unable to score a second goal, Japan attacked the Germans more and more often, culminating in an equalizer by Doan and a stunning goal by Asano eight minutes later.