Moriya remained in the dugout and smiled broadly as he described. After all, it was his brave substitutions that orchestrated a well-known victory for Japan.
The move started with a pass from Kauro Mitoma that carefully cut through Germany’s left channel and eventually found Takumi Minamino.
Manuel Neuer was alert enough to parry the AS Monaco player’s shot, which appeared to be more of a cross. Ritsu Doan, on the other hand, scored from six yards out and beat the goalkeeper with his save.
It was an unbelievable move in the 75th moment that paralyzed Germany, who were driving 1-0 to that point.
More impressive and game-changing than the goal or Mitamo’s precise pass that started the move was a series of events that happened before it. More specifically, it was the substitutions made by Hajime Moriyasu.
Takehiro Tomiyasu made his debut in the 46th minute. Mitoma and Takuma Asano followed 11 minutes later. When Asano nearly buried a cross from the right wing by Junya Ito, those changes almost paid off.
Starting with a 4-2-3-1 system, Japan switched to a more attacking 3-4-3 formation to make the most of Mitoma’s threats in 1v1 situations and make better use of his speed on the wings.
This was evident from a counterattack that occurred in the 61st minute. Substitutes Mitoma and Asano were involved, and Asano missed an opportunity.
Moriyasu brought on Doan in the 71st minute, and Minamino came on three minutes later, as Japan slowly made their way back into the game. With all subs presented and his framework change taking full shape by the 74th moment, Japan immediately reversed the situation by scoring the balancer in the 75th moment.
In the second half, all three of the players who scored the first goal were brought off the bench; Minamino had only been on the field for less than a minute.
In the 83rd minute, Asano, who plays in the German Bundesliga, got lucky again. On the right wing, he skillfully controlled a long, floating ball, outmuscled Nico Schlotterbeck, who tried to push him away from the goal and unleashed a powerful right footer that beat Neuer at the near post. Along with the rest of the team, it sent the Japanese fans into a frenzy, and they rushed onto the field to celebrate with the goal scorer.
Moriyasu remained in the dugout and smiled broadly. After all, it was his brave substitutions that orchestrated a well-known victory for Japan. a result that has placed his team within striking distance of a berth in the Round of 16 and may have added to Germany’s suffering at the World Cup.