{ "id": "1127", "author": "23", "title": "FIFA World Cup: Opening Match Against Japan Is Most Important Game, Says Germany's Neuer", "lang": "en", "series": "1", "cup_year": "0000", "article_type": "general", "excerpt": "Tension is rife around the German team ahead of the group opener against Japan at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.", "subtype": null, "editor1": "

FIFA World Cup 2022:<\/strong> Tension is rife around the German team ahead of the group opener against Japan at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Crossing swords with Japan this Wednesday is the tournament's most important game from the perspective of German captain Manuel Neuer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"You gain confidence for the following games with a successful start and avoid getting under pressure in the second group game," the Bayern goalkeeper said before the German squad took off to Doha.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"It is the game to a great extent deciding about your progress in the tournament," Neuer added, reminding him of the defeat in the 2018 group opener against Mexico.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

While the 36-year-old Neuer is trying to sharpen the team's senses, coach Hansi Flick is forced to do the job without Leroy Sane.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Bayern striker is suffering from a knee problem, the German football association announced, but is said to be back in time for action for the group encounters against Spain and Costa Rica.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

As a result, changes in the attacking follow as Jamal Musiala is expected to move to the left wing as a replacement. Citizen midfielder Ilkay Gundogan might complete the composition next to Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Regarding the spearhead place, it seems a close race between Kai Havertz and Thomas Muller.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Despite a first setback due to Sane's injury, Neuer is talking about a robust back-line as the key to success "for the entire tournament."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The German captain called opponent Japan a tricky team to play as most players made their way to European clubs including the German national league, reports Xinhua.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Positive memories seem to play a vital role in the 2014 world champions' preparation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Choosing a remote base camp in the North of Qatar, 110 kilometres off the capital, is said to create a similar inspiring team spirit as in the team's headquarters in Brazil, the famous Campo Bahia located far off the usually busy hotspots.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

A calm way to deal with the circumstances around a winter World Cup has become a guideline coming along with Flick's achievements as a club coach.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"Hansi is a coach for special tournaments. The 2022 World Cup is an unusual tournament played in the middle of a season next to a short preparation phase," Neuer stated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The 57-year-old coach in his perspective is a perfect match when it comes to adopting unusual situations, Neuer said mentioning 2020 when Bayern won the Champions League with the final rounds played in tournament modus in Lisbon.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Despite being praised for his empathy, Flick's most pressing issue remains to create a robust defense line as his team struggled in previous tournaments when facing counterattacks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Supervising his first World Cup as head coach, Flick assembled a newly-formed defense around Real defender Antonio Ruediger. The German coach is speaking about getting into a flow and making up for the disappointing 2018 tournament in Russia coming along with a painful group exit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

While Neuer and Flick talked about the goal to win the 2022 World Cup, the Qatar tournament is a re-start for a team currently containing three generations from Youssoufa Moukoko and Musiala to Thomas Muller and Neuer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Supervising his first World Cup as head coach, Flick assembled a newly-formed defense around Real defender Antonio Ruediger. The German coach is speaking about getting into a flow and making up for the disappointing 2018 tournament in Russia coming along with a painful group exit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Also Read: <\/strong> Afghanistan's Next Generation Of Cricketers On The Dusty Pitches Of Kabul<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

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