Early-morning kickoff on September 10: The shockwaves of the World Cup are back! Takuma Asano, “the man with the ball,” clears away the noise against Germany.

On the evening of September 9 (early morning of September 10, Japan time), the Japanese national soccer team will clash with the powerful German team in Wolfsburg.

The friendly match will be sandwiched between two world sporting events, but the significance of the match will be great.

As you know, Japan defeated Germany in their first World Cup match in Qatar thanks to two goals by Ritsu Doan (25, Freiburg) and Takuma Asano (28, Bochum). Japan’s team has been a surprise to the world with this unexpected victory.

In contrast, Japan’s second Moriyasu Japan team started in March this year. The team has been steadily accumulating matches with two wins, one minute, and one loss.

Of particular note was the June series against Peru. Kaoru Mitoma (26, Brighton) and Junya Ito (30, Stade Reims), two of Japan’s leading attackers, both scored goals in the 4-1 win over Peru.

And now for the rematch with Germany – Germany was eliminated from the group phase of the World Cup due to the loss to Japan. They have continued to slump this year, with one win, one minute, and three losses. Coach Hange Frick’s position is becoming increasingly tenuous, and another home loss to Japan would surely send shockwaves through the country. If they suffer another home loss to Japan, there is no doubt that they will come at them with a different set of eyes.

With the fast-growing big midfielder Niklas Fürkruk (30, Dortmund) currently suffering from a foot problem, the desperate coach has called up veteran Thomas Müller (33, Bayern) to join the team. The versatility of the Bayern-trained attack will be a threat to Japan.