4-1. France dominating the Aussie.
A massive spread of WC stats. I’ve never seen this level of footie data compiled in one place….it’s terrific.
I am very anxious …. 
Nice pressing by Japan, can they keep it up long enough to benefit, or will they tire.
Is this the first game between two top teams? It’s the best playing I’ve seen so far, but I’m not all that much of a soccer watcher.
The German kit for this WC sucks
Japan’s not really a top team (27 in the ELO ranking). The biggest group stage match is going to be Spain vs Germany.
Soft penalty. He dealt with the threat and did a needless hit on the attacker.
Soft penalty meaning it shouldn’t have been called, or the keeper did something dumb? I think it’s the latter – seemed like a clear mugging, I mean penalty.
I think of “soft” in that sense meaning that it was a borderline call.
ETA: So far, I love the lack of theatrics in this game!
Keepers fault. He had done the difficult bit of clearing and then made an unnecessary contact with an opposition player. And the second goal (if it stands) was also an error by the keeper.
ETA: Overturned and Japan miss an easy chance.
Yes, that’s how I normally read it as well.
Germany picking away at a disciplined defense. They’re also running a lot of set plays based on their height advantage.
I had no idea that Japan was behind the US in the rankings. I take back what I said earlier.
Just caught this. Good for them.
Nicely done by Germany!
One thing different about the Japanese team this year compared to previous ones is that a lot more of the players in the squad are part of European teams rather than Japanese teams, and a number of them have played in Germany so they are not completely unfamiliar with the players they are facing today. How much of a help that is, I don’t know, but it does mean they aren’t unfamiliar with the style of play of their opponents.
//i\\
So, are these players just less sensitive from the knees down than Mexican players? It’s amazing how many hard tackles are happening where the player just gets back up. Maybe the Mexican players need better shin guards?
Other than Kimmich, you won’t normally see anyone on the German team trying to roll around and milk a minimal foul. Seems like the Japanese side is similar, except for maybe Sakai.
If I were a ref, I would be giving out cards all day long for that crap. FIFA should require that players in such obvious “agony” have to leave the field for treatment until the next stoppage.
Cool. How is Ozil by the way to totally change the subject.
Can you give me the context? Was he a big diver?
This game is so much smoother without all the ridiculous theatrics.