Japan beats Spain 2-1 to advance to last 16 at World Cup

Count the nay sayers in the Japan vs Costa Rica game.

Japan was awesome. Samurai Blue take it to the final!!!!!!!!!

Unbeeeeelieeeeeevable! The MIRACLE OF QATAR!

The entire world's jaws are on the floor! When I said Moriyasu-Japan needed to play the game of their lives....they did!

Moriyasu got the selections spot on this time with a 3 man strike force. All out attack, all game! Brilliant substitutions. Gonda was 10/10 between the sticks. Spain were woeful as the Japan defense dominated them.

A shame Spain was not eliminated, along with Germany! Neither are good enough this WC.

Soccer is such a weird game. Scores are so low that a team can be dominant for most of the match, like Germany or Spain playing Japan, but still lose. Japan, Australia are to progress but Germany and Belgium are eliminated? Wow!

lol. My comment in https://japantoday.com/category/fifa-world-cup-2022/soccer-moriyasu-says-the-buck-stops-with-him-at-world-cup#comment-3367975 received -17 votes. lol.

Good stuff! I'm happy Japan won but even happier Germany are heading home after the first round.

Moriyasu-Japan in finishing top definitely got the best draw. Croatia is a decent, busy side but nowhere near the threat of an in form Morocco.

And people said I was crazy saying the Semis should be the minimum for Moriyasu-Japan!

In my life here, watching the Japan team since 2002. This is the only team that plays well in the 2nd half. Usually they run out of gas after taking leads in the 1st half. It is so refreshing! Looking forward to the naysayers here saying football belongs to the Europeans/South Americans and no one else.

Pretty good result given that they had less than 20% of possession.

Alright Japan! Well done, we are gunna celebrate at work :)

PM Kishida - make today a national holiday! No one is gonna do a bit of work!

Nail biting final minutes but they pulled it off!

No, it's not Controversial.

The ball was bounced inside and was about to bounce Nearly outside before the player hit the ball. So, very good decision by the referee.

Who had thought about Japan would be at No. 1 on this most competitive table.

Now Japan is considered first class international level.

Hiphip Hooray, Japan!

That winning goal was fortuitous, for me the most enjoyable WC match so far.

I was in two mind to set the clock.

Kudos Japan

Great job Japan! It was a well-deserved victory with two very good scores. Yet, I think towards the end, Spain knew they would go in to the knockout round and kind of didn't try so hard to score in the waning minutes. Spain had the choice: Win, and save Germany, with a possibility of facing Croatia and then Brazil in the quarterfinals. Or, lose, and kick Germany to the curb, and face Morocco and avoid having to face Brazil.

LMFAO here comes all the doubters who gave up on the last loss. Now they are back!

Congratulations!

Looking forward to hearing about the fans cleaning up the stadium

Can’t watch the YV now as I am saving energy-good to read the news about a Japan victory though

Congratulations, Excellent job, Samurai Blue. The best team won, regardless what the conspiracy believers znd others claim, here's hoping Japan keep winning.

I feel sorry for the Germans, who got robbed of their place at the knockout round by this blown call.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/21/65149561-11492459-image-a-10_1669929577158.jpg

The whole ball crossed the line, that goal should have never counted.

As expected Japan was able to beat a European team. These teams play quite boring Soccer. The teams from Asia and Africa like to play exciting games. Next up will be a much easier game for Japan, as Croatia is one of the weaker teams in Europe.

A lot of "highly fancied" top 10 Euro teams simply not performing - looking at Germany, Denmark Belgium etc. Even Spain don't look top 10.

Time to cut back the % of Euro teams in future WCs and push up the Asians and Africans? Worth looking at, IMO.

@Japantime

Japan was able to beat a European team

Only with the help of a blown call.

Only with the help of a blown call.

Nope. The ball was in. Soccer rules stipulate that 100% of the ball must be over the line for it to be out. There was still 5% of the ball behind the line, it was in play.

This was a rare call VAR got RIGHT.

Just watched a video replay and the controversial goal was actual out of bounds. You can clearly see it.

Except the ball was over the line for Japan's second. Watched it live and commentators were even amazed that was allowed.

FIFA: release the VAR footage! Oh, but you won't. Your dog ate it, right? So corrupt.

Wow! Watched the game from The Netherlands, and during the first half thought: Spain is so dominating, leading 1-0, this is going to be a runaway for Spain... But wait! The game repeated Japan's second half response against Germany, and scored twice! What??? Are you kidding me??? But they did it, with clever steals, great passes, two great goals (the second a nail-biter waiting for the VAR to call the ball in bounds (by half a centimeter, it looks like))... Japan held on, even with an inflated 7 minute extension of regular time... And won the game!!!! Wow!!! What a sensation!!! The Japanese fans in tears of shocked happineness and relief!!! Great!!! Morocco is also unexpectedly through... So: good news for Africa and Asia!!! This tournament is TOP ENTERTAINMENT!!! Japan could go far!!!... I hope they do!!!

It’s a Festivus miracle !

How on earth was Japan‘a second goal allowed? What a mockery of the rules.

The way Spain were playing they deserved to be eliminated. Just having 82.5% possession and not actually making effort to create something with it is just shameless. It was like they were really avoiding a win or draw to top the group as it would have put them in line with a match against Brazil and Argentina later on. Japan won and full credit to them for the win regardless of the mess VAR created with awarding their second goal which was out of play. Had a feeling that Japan will sneak into the eliminations somehow since they have been extremely lucky against Germany in the first match and then again against Spain. Eventually the luck will run out though whether it’s against Croatia or in the 1/4’s probably against Brazil. Croatia isn’t a team to take lightly. Japan likes to play on the counter against teams that hold a lot of possession and fail to score goals in the final phase. Croatia isn’t that. They make short quick passes and open up the defense rather than holding possession and playing from the back. So Japans strategy of 11 men behind the ball and playing on the counter cony work against Croatia as they’ll open up the back line regardless. One thing is for certain that the better teams don’t win in the World Cup. Japan won this controversially by getting a second goal which was out of play and now Karma will come back to bite them. Japan will lose in a game that they dominate and deserve to win but through some controversy will lose it…that’s football / soccer whatever you prefer to call it! What goes around comes around…lol !

Those who say the ball was out of bounds on Japan's second goal underestimate the technology the VAR has available. The latest, most accurate photo's show a thin edge, perhaps half a centimeter of the ball above the white line, meaning it was still in play...

I see the same posters here who had given up all hope and was saying the coach was bad. I wonder if they think he is great now?

VAR tech sets the Premier League back some £2 million plus per season.

Today the same tech allowed Japan a winning goal.

Football it's a funny old game, obviously not it you are German.

The English won't lose any sleep though.

Excellent very well done Japan..

The second goal is the result of never give up !!..

Thanks Japan !!..

GO JAPAN, GO JAPAN!!..

NIHON !!.. NIHON !!..

How on earth was Japan‘a second goal allowed? What a mockery of the rules.

The ball never left the area, the VAR confirms it, that's what technology is for...

Get over it..

Looking forward to the naysayers here saying football belongs to the Europeans/South Americans and no one else.

Come back in two weeks to let me know which team won the World Cup

Didn't wake up. Congrats to Japan. In the end, it's about the goals and the win. Football is about an amount of luck.

So is this the furthest Japan has ever gotten?

Round of 16 is equal furthest. Samurai-Blue have been there 3 or 4 times. But the aim is the SF - minimum.

Is this their best performance ever?

Yes - beating Spain is Japans GOAT! No dispute.

Another improbable win, but great entertainment and its all good, especially because its the Germans on the receiving end. At one point it looked like it would be Spain too with Costa Rica ahead, a Group of Death to go down in World Cup history, but it was not to be. Once ahead, Japan defended resolutely and Spain barely had a sniff. Gonda spilled one, but Yoshida was alert to clear.

If its not a too radical an idea, perhaps Moriyasu could play his second half team in the first half as well. Japan have not scored or looked like scoring with Nagatomo on the pitch. Everything positive has happened after Doan and Mitoma have come on.

As others have suggested, Spain strangely appeared to be very content to lose that game and place second in the group.

The VAR has some advantages but is too often used to reverse human decisions. I am not talking about today’s goal, but it has been a lot of offside, followed by goals, for a few centimeters that referees can not see. For me, goals should have been accorded as it used to be. Too many decisions are reversed and the whole kills the spirit or the game

Referees will become useless as time goes

There are people who believe they have better eyes than the VAR.

Those who say Spain intentionally let Japan win didn't watch this game. It was very hard fought, the whole way throught, with Spain fighting to win at every point. Spain knew that it was theoretically possible for them to not go through when Costa Rica went ahead of Germany, 2-1, but that did not change their style in the slightest. This Spanish team is proud of its excellent skills and fighting spirit, and would never cynically let another team win to avoid playing a supposedly strong team like Argentina or Brazil later. That is pure nonsense.

Now Japan is considered first class international level.

Nice win but you might be taking it a little too far here...

Watched the second Japan goal which was out of play before the goal was made. Hand of god.

Congratulations!

An unexpected but amazing game.

It's not how long you have the ball, it's what you do with it when you have it!

Japan just got several million new supporters from England

Anyway, they deserve it. The Japanese fans and team have showed the rest of the world up with their attitude towards the game. Picking up rubbish and leaving the dressing room spotless unlike the spoilt primadonnas of other nations.

Another good second half performance from Japan, it would seem that this team loves a comeback.

And another great goal from Doan! The media is comparing him to Honda because of how he speaks his mind but at least he performs and no doubt the star of this team this group stages.

For you Fritz, the World Cup is over.

Another unlikely result in a World Cup full of them. Why doesn't Moriyasu play Mitoma, Doan and the others from the start? Japan's winning goal looked out and was originally disallowed by the referee, but the decision was reversed by VAR. Lucky, but you make you own luck in football, as Big Fat Sam would say.

I'm very excited for Japan. I also have some good friends in Japan, the U.S., and Australia. And I'm am quite pleased to see all of their countries make it through.

It seems the ball was in play by a single millimeter.

Absolutely huge! Talk about a lightening bolt of inspiration and hope to the entire nation and region!

Couldn't have come at a better time either! The power and of sports!

By stasts Japan proved efficient. It possessed the ball at only 18%, attemped only 3 goals (of which 2 succeeded), 0 kick at the corner. Although their plays often disturb my stomach, the team ended up grasping the fortune by the forelock.

Well done Japan. Great to see that a few teams have progressed from the Asian Federation, such as Australia.

The US also progressing alsongside African teams.

Showing the Euopean and South American dominance of the World Cup throughout all stages is over.

The Champions may well be a Euro or South American team this year (on maybe not?) but bodes well for the rest of the world for the future.

By stasts Japan proved efficient. It possessed the ball at only 18%, attemped only 3 goals (of which 2 succeeded), 0 kick at the corner. Although their plays often disturb my stomach, the team ended up grasping the fortune by the forelock.

Only 3 attempts because that's all they needed. It seems they could've continued to attack if necessary. Spain was pretty toothless - only 2 chances in second half but both on the same attack.

Showing the Euopean and South American dominance of the World Cup throughout all stages is over.

I really hope so. I think we are all sick of those prima-donnas!

Every angle I saw, it was out. But Spain should have scored at least one more goal considering the time of possession.

Alfie Noakes

Why doesn't Moriyasu play Mitoma, Doan and the others from the start? 

A simple stragtegy:

(1) Keep the game close in the first half.

(2) Send the best players against tired opponents in the second half.

Congratulations Japan!

I for one really thought they were no hope against Spain but happy to be proven wrong. Crazy World Cup!

Banzai!

Time to eat my head! Congratulations to the Samurai and bye bye Germany!

Luck was definitely on there side.

I wonder what the odds were for Japan beating Germany and Spain and finishing top of the group?

That was fun

If someone had told me in 1978 , my first world cup that I would have a bonding experience with my seventeen year old son watching Japan win a football game I'd have laughed at them.

Well done Japan, thank you and good luck with the rest of the games.

Quite a showing. Had they lost then they'd have been knocked out of it and with a win they won their group.

ばんざい！おめでとう！

I noticed the oyajis practicing their imaginary soccer kicks a little more than usual this morning on the train platforms.

Nagoyajin

Soccer is such a weird game. Scores are so low that a team can be dominant for most of the match, like Germany or Spain playing Japan, but still lose. Japan, Australia are to progress but Germany and Belgium are eliminated? Wow!

Actually it is quite normal for any sports. Champions may win most, but they do fail to win sometimes. It is quite rare if champions always win. And that makes sports interesting. In fact, an upset is one of the most exciting parts of any sports.

All the naysayers wanted Moriyasu to step down.

Ha! He proved you wrong,

Players from both teams looked surprised when it was announced that the goal counted, and the Japanese started running toward their bench again to celebrate with their teammates.

Japan never stopped hustling the whole game. Spain was a little lethargic in the end of the 1st and start of the second half.

wallaceToday  07:37 am JST

Didn't wake up. Congrats to Japan. In the end, it's about the goals and the win. Football is about an amount of luck.

Right, as I've mentioned. Lucky bounces go a long way.

The referee was very biased against Japan, giving three yellow cards to them, while none to Spanish players diving.

Let's all cross our fingers tonight for South Korea to overcome Portugal and get that R16 spot. Portugal will likely play many reserves. Having 3 Asians in the R16 will put those in Europe on notice, that's for sure!

Every angle I saw, it was out.

And that’s the problem, you are looking at an angle. You must look from above the ball to see if there is any green between the ball and the line, that is the correct way. In this case there was clearly no green between = still in play.

socrateosToday 08:25 am JST

Alfie Noakes

Why doesn't Moriyasu play Mitoma, Doan and the others from the start? 

A simple stragtegy:

(1) Keep the game close in the first half.

(2) Send the best players against tired opponents in the second half.

Ah, the old Theo Walcott vs tired legs tactic, eh? Given the injuries to Nakayama and Tomiyasu, plus having to play the clapped out Nagatomo, Sakai and the ineffective Kubo, it's an understandable if risky tactic. Still, it worked, which is all that counts. And the Germans are going home, so it's all good.

1% in, is still in, and in the hyper video coverage VAR era, they can ascertain that. Likewise the same would have gone the other if a keeper saved a goal that was 99% over the line. 1% in would mean no goal.

Quite shock result really. Well done Japan.

Team Japan is showing itself to be quite capable . . . .

Liverpool lost a goal to a John Stones goal line clearance which cost them the championship.

It was less the a millimeter if I remember.

C'est la vie.

The Germans can't complain.

Neither Spain.

They shouldnt have put themselves in that position

That ball was over the line and out and so is Germany. Camera technology is of little use when humans prefer to believe their own lying eyes. Still, Japan played a blinder and individual Japanese grit and team play won the day making this game the most exciting one I've seen in Qatar.

Samit BasuToday  07:04 am JST

Only with the help of a blown call

Lets assume this is correct. That doesn’t take away the fact that Spain only had 5 on target shoots for 3 of Japan, meaning their scoring chances and ability to have an efficient offensive were mediocre. If Spain did well as they did against Costa Rica or others before, this wouldn’t even be a discussion.

Germany and Spain lost because they were caught off guard against Japan. Normally, they would not lose five times out of a hundred. Many of the Japanese players were injured and they played so badly.

Spain loses again to a call where the ball was very clearly 100% out. At least it didn’t eliminate them this time like in 2002 when South Korea got to the semis.

anyway, the bandwagoners are back in full force, and TVs that have never shown soccer are showing it like they’ve loved the sport since the Feudal Era. People who loved Moriyasu a week ago, then hated him until yesterday now love him again. Heck, I met an old guy this morning who seemed to think j he was on the pitch himself and bragged and seemed to think I was Spanish or German or whatever white people are in his mind.

Good on Japan for getting through, but I hope people don’t stop liking the sport when they lose.

painkiller,

Did not see the view from above? Clearly the ball was in!

Congratulations to Japan! I just saw the video replay and it was clearly out. Nevertheless well done to Japan. You can only play and let the umpire make the decisions. I don't understand how the umpire made that decision. I'm not a professional referee and even I would have adjudicated it correctly. It wasn't hard. Really! I'm not having a go at the Japan team. As I said they can only play and let the umpire make decisions. Anyway good luck to Japan for the rest of the tournament.

Japan made it again .

It’s a smart win in the second half as well against Germany .

Other win pattern seems to be nothing else at the end of the day for Japan.

Hope for how ‘s the know- out - stage !!!

And another “surprise”; this WC is definitely one of the most interesting WCs of all time;

Congratulations, Samurai Blue (!) :)

..

From now on, the sky’s the limit.

KaowaiinekochanknawToday  08:20 am JSY

Showing the Euopean and South American dominance of the World Cup throughout

Not really. At least not yet.

In 2002, South Korea reached SF, US semis, Japan, Senegal, Mexico qualified to 2nd round

In 2006 Australia to 2nd round, Ghana and Mexico as well

In 2010, South Korea, Japan, Ghana, US, Mexico also moved on

In 2014, Costa Rica, US, Nigeria, Algeria, Mexico

in 2018, Mexico, Japan (worst in this millennium)

In other words, what has happened so far it isn’t so uncommon and unless we have a team outside of UEFA and CONMEBOL in the final, there won’t be a meaningful change.

runner3Today  09:27 am JST

painkiller, 

Did not see the view from above? Clearly the ball was in!

I saw it from underground too---did you see that angle?

Spain has 78% possession and twice the shots on target! Again, congratulations Samurai's!

Every angle I saw, it was out. But Spain should have scored at least one more goal considering the time of possession.

That's the problem with angles. You need the view with no angle.

I didn't really feel like Spain should have scored any goals. They hardly created any chances. Japan scored 2 and shut up shop.

Great win. Who would have thought Japan could advance? Now, Germany can keep their mouth shut at home.

Painkiller,

have you ever seen a video replay in tennis? It's not the very bottom of the ball they measure. It's the whole shape of the ball. Same as in soccer. The side of the ball was clearly on the line.

Mr KiplingToday  08:34 am JST

I wonder what the odds were for Japan beating Germany and Spain and finishing top of the group?

Top the group was 10/1

I have 50 pounds on japan reaching the last 8 at 14/1

I thought top of the group was impossible

I remembered back in 2006 we tied Croatia 0-0 and that was our only point in the standings that World Cup and Luka Modric is still freakin playing. lol

@smithinjapan

I am wondering why some football fans and wannabe experts are gatekeeping when a sport become suddenly popular?

Why not just be glad that more people are starting to like the sport?

Great job, fantastic win! Friends and family back in Japan are all thrilled, my LINE app has been blowing up all evening here. So happy for them.

...and I see that the disgruntled, killjoy JT down-voters are out in full force today.

have you ever seen a video replay in tennis? It's not the very bottom of the ball they measure. It's the whole shape of the ball. Same as in soccer. The side of the ball was clearly on the line.

First time I have ever heard that apllies to football as well (the ball much much bigger). And stadium massive, so how would they get a 100% over shot of every inch of the line anyway?

If that's possible (and it's not) rhen, please Fifis show direct fly over reply riight away and stop mulitpple ground angles, and wasting 5 or more minutescmaking decisions. And show us during the game, not an hour later released to AP. It's not a good look and will breed conspiracy theories. I want go see the original footage, not just one photo.

There was no visible grass between the line and the ball. The thinnest of margins. The whole ball must be out.

Photo

https://au.sports.yahoo.com/fifa-world-cup-2022-goal-controversy-takes-twist-germany-embarrassing-flop-shocks-004821113.html

I remember England V Germany a few years back and England had the whole of the ball a full two feet over the whole of the goal line, but apparently it hadn't crossed it, so I won't have much sympathy if Japan's goal was actually few millimetres out! The Germans tend to be pretty good sports anyway and they will be focused on the fact that they themselves lost against Japan rather than a debatable decision that happened in another game.

The curvature of the ball WAS ON THE LINE!!!

It was a GOAL, as per the NEW ruling.

That was confirmed by VAR, and there's plenty of footage showing the curvature of the ball hanging (just) ON THAT LINE.

Obviously, some need to learn what "curvature" means first!!!!

Allowing the goal was the correct call. The base of the ball being out doesn't mean the actual whole ball was out. I've refereed thousands of games, and this is a lack of understanding of the rules of soccer. If you looked from the top of the ball, and it was over the line by the tiniest bit (any off the ball), its still in even if the base of the ball shows grass between it and the line.....

I was very curious about this and got info. I am not an expert on soccer rules. Did play social soccer as a defender. I got the above information from some research. So does that mean if the ball is over the line but the outer areas of the ball from a top view are barely covering the line it's in?

A well deserved win to Japan. Another Asian team through to the round of 16 shows the Asian confederation teams can defeat anyone on any given day.

Defeating both Germany and Spain and both 2-1 coming from behind shows determination and never say die attitude needed to defeat the top sides.

I am proud of my country Australia making the last 16 and of Japan for doing even better and topping it's group to reach the final 16.

With no Italy, Germany out, there is a chance for a new nation to hold the cup high after the final. You have to be in it, to win it. Japan and Australia are both still in it!

First time I have ever heard that apllies to football as well (the ball much much bigger). And stadium massive, so how would they get a 100% over shot of every inch of the line anyway?

The rule is the whole of the ball over the whole of the line. If even a millimetre of the ball is overlapping the outside edge of the line, it is still in play. I think in football, they if there is any doubt in a decision, they usually give the benefit of doubt to the attacking team, so if there wasn't a camera shot available on the VAR showing that the ball was clearly out, then the goal would have to stand.

runner3Today  10:03 am JST

Painkiller,

have you ever seen a video replay in tennis? It's not the very bottom of the ball they measure. It's the whole shape of the ball. Same as in soccer. The side of the ball was clearly on the line.

Nope, was not clearly on the line.

toraToday  10:28 am JST

First time I have ever heard that apllies to football as well (the ball much much bigger). And stadium massive, so how would they get a 100% over shot of every inch of the line anyway? 

If that's possible (and it's not) rhen, please Fifis show direct fly over reply riight away and stop mulitpple ground angles, and wasting 5 or more minutescmaking decisions. And show us during the game, not an hour later released to AP. It's not a good look and will breed conspiracy theories. I want go see the original footage, not just one photo.

Great observation.

The curvature of the ball WAS ON THE LINE!!!

It was a GOAL, as per the NEW ruling.

I don't think it is a new ruling - I took a refereeing course 20 years ago and the rule even back then was the whole of the ball over the whole of the line.

Just to clarify: if you are looking down from above from a great height (to avoid any perspective effects), if any part of the ball is over any part of the line, then it is still in play - that's the rule and it has been for as long as I can remember. So yes, if the curvature of the ball was on the line, then the ball was still in play.

One angle (photo below) clearly shows the ball to be out -- with plenty of green between the ball and the white line. That's all that should be needed for the ball to be declared to be out of bounds.

See photo in Chris Kamara tweet in link below

https://au.sports.yahoo.com/fifa-world-cup-2022-goal-controversy-takes-twist-germany-embarrassing-flop-shocks-004821113.html

If Japan wins, we should get the year off, with pay.

What counted was what the referee saw and then the VAR. It was a goal and stands.

There was no green between the line and the ball.

Maybe people who don't watch regular football don't fully understand. The whole ball must be out.

If anyone is still in doubt about the second goal, see the following video at 1:04 where a photo from above shows clearly the ball was online when it was kicked by Mitoma.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps8726SgGFY

1986 England Worldcup quarter-final and the hand of Maradona. The referee did not see it.

@socrateos - that one will discussed for years to come.

Now wouldn't it be weird if the final ends up being between Spain and Japan again ... ?

According to reports online. All the camera angles of the VAR were not shown. There are already videos on Twitter explaining the optical illusion that shows the ball is out but actually it is still in. I cannot copy the link here. Google Twitter Nick Levett for the video.

Samit Basu

The whole ball crossed the line, that goal should have never counted.

you certainly don't seem to be unaware of FIFA's laws and the basic geometry.

The ball was in and the SAME discussion always need to have with people when playing soccer and futsal: the whole ball needs to cross the line. Every single time people shoud ”out!” When it’s not out. The balls in WC are also equipped with inside sensor so that they know if it has crossed the goal line. Same technology will tell you that ball was in play, Ronald’s hair didn’t touch the ball, etc..

wallaceToday  11:40 am JST

What counted was what the referee saw and then the VAR. It was a goal and stands.

There was no green between the line and the ball.

Maybe people who don't watch regular football don't fully understand. The whole ball must be out.

Everyone knows what counted. But not everyone saw the same thing:

“As we see on this replay, yes it is, it’s out of play,” former English Premier League ref Mark Clattenbirg said on Fox’s broadcast. “And therefore it will be disallowed. … This will get chalked off.”

Are you claiming to watch regular football? Point out another game recently where the same kind of play resulted.

Just like when Japan played Germany, at half time it was easy to think that Japan was not going to get a goal. But both games, in the 2nd half, Japan really played more aggressively and cleverly. The VAR call was impressive. The ball did not completely cross the line (by about 1mm or less!) so it was the right call. Just like in tennis, the ball is out if it doesn't touch the line even by 1mm. Different from rugby of course! Anyway, an historical win for Japan. They deserved it.

“As we see on this replay, yes it is, it’s out of play,” former English Premier League ref Mark Clattenbirg said on Fox’s broadcast. “And therefore it will be disallowed. … This will get chalked off.”

Clattenburg was obviously wrong. If the goal wasn't given to begin with, how could it get chalked off? Just about everything he said made no sense.

Duly chastened. I admit, I thought Japan was dead man walkin.

I was wrong.

To be sure, I am very happy to be wrong on this one.

Great Job, Gentlemen.

(My boss is already sick of me yelling "Bravo!" to everything anyone does in the office. To be fair, I am pretty sure "they" are still hungover.....)

If Japan wins, we should get the year off, with pay.

Ha ha, maybe not a whole year!

But I am pretty sure if Japan lift the Cup, a National Holiday will be declared by the government - possibly even an annual one.

therougouToday  12:21 pm JST

Clattenburg was obviously wrong. If the goal wasn't given to begin with, how could it get chalked off? Just about everything he said made no sense.

No, he saw the replays from different angles and thought the ball was out of play.

So, it made perfect sense what a former Premier League ref was saying.

@Bungle- Yep, The Times photo is the one that clearly shows the play was in play (from above the outer circumference IS on the line, and them the ruies in Football)

@Nihon Tora: ah..THAT game. The volley from Lampard was way over the line. However, it was from so far out neither the ref or linesmen ever had any hope of seeing it. BUT, that goal would have be allowed instantly these days the balls have chips inside, and the refs smartwatch indicates if the ball does cross the line. Numerous goals have been awarded this way since the arrival of that system.

The ball has to be completely over the line to be out. From the angle in the picture the ball looks to be at a perfect tangent with line - so literally neither in nor out. But the camera appears to be viewing slightly from the inside, so a perfect vertical view would show to it be overlapping the line.

Good call. Great game!

I don't think it is a new ruling - I took a refereeing course 20 years ago and the rule even back then was the whole of the ball over the whole of the line.

Yup, and the reason for the rule is that there are different playing surfaces where it would be very difficult to tell if the underside of the ball was in or out. In thicker grass for example, the underside of the ball might not even be visible to an official. So, its wise that soccer has adopted the "whole ball" rule. Anyone who can't understand this probably doesn't even play sports.

Just reading the nonsense of several "experts" in the UK such as Gary Neville, Ally MCoist and a has been ex referee claiming the ball was out. Clearly these guys have never studied physics and specifically the curvature of spheres.

The ball was definitely touching the line. 100% still in play. These people have sour grapes. Simple as that.

Japan is that guy who slays giants but gets mugged.

In the old times, the goal could have been refused, but with the technology and AI behind the VAR, though killing the spirit of the game, there is no doubt.

Japan is the only Asian team qualified for the time being.

Oceania is doing well with Australia.

As a Japaneese fan and a neutral observer of " Qatar World Cup - 2022" should say the second goal scored by Japan was controversial.The ball had definitely gone out of the boundary touch line and wonder how " VAR" technology judges such close decisions or from which angle is the camera shot taken to reach a decision. Anyhow congratulations team Japan gor reaching round of 16.Ahoy !

Oceania is doing well with Australia.

LOL. I guess poor old Oceania can claim this as a win! Next time they have a guaranteed place. So NZ will be joining the Socceroos in 2026.

Japan is the only Asian team qualified for the time being.

Let's hope SK steps up and qualifies tonight. Very possible if they attack for the 90 mins - and Portugal name their reserve team.

I know we should root for South Korea as an underdog and fellow Asian team. However, I have been a Japan fan for many years and SK has always been our main rival. Also their fans dislike Japan and tend to bring up political tensions during their matches. So I don't care one way or the other if they go through lol

People are talking about angles, but the deciding factor was the ball was still in when the player kicked it. This year's ball is the first ever to have a sensor inside. It can detect exactly when the player made contact with the ball. It wasn't over the line when the Japanese player made contact.

 “You can't be serious, man, you cannot be serious! That ball was on the line, the chalk flew up! It was clearly in, how can you possibly call that out?” 

John McEnroe verdict this morning......ho hum

Good game of exciting football. All the best to Samurai Blue and to La Furya Roja in the last 16.

Good stuff! I'm happy Japan won but even happier Germany are heading home after the first round.

Hey Svennie, how far die YOUR country advance in the tournament?

VAR is aimed at the goal area not outside the posts so is not as accurate for judging in play or out. The decision was made on the principal that the best photo they had didn't show it to be 100% out. In that photo the ball is still moving and the boot has yet to make contact... I'm fairly confident the ball went out if play, however, what we think is irrelevant as ze Germans are on their way home.

There was "the hand of God" and now some of us see "the foot of God".

Even from the AP pic, ball looks out.

Maybe 2-3 posters here knew that rule before this play.

Anyone have a clip showing a similar play this year, in any league?

I believe VAR was introduced to clarify glaring misses by the referees - such as obvious offsides, intentional fouls, diving, goals, handballs etc.

That it is now used to certify decisions down to the millimetre on a game that is played on fields of 110,000 millimeters in length with balls of about 700 millimeters circumference is just way out of here imo.

I mean the offside decision the other day because one player was deemed to be leading by around a centimeter or so. I mean what the hell is that?

In the entire history of football if the contact point - the base of a ball to the field surface - is clearly out then always it's been out. No one in the history of football has ever had a dropping plimsol line overhead view of a football until recent VAR. NO one ever thought about this point. Over the line was out - ie easily visible space between the base of the ball and the line.

Sure use the technology to cut out the glaring mistakes hands of god etc - but to miniaturize a game on this scale to millimeters essentially computerizing it - a video game if you like - well then there's no end to it.

browny1:

In the entire history of football if the contact point - the base of a ball to the field surface - is clearly out then always it's been out...

The Soccer Rule #9 specifically states that "The ball is out of play when: it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air." In other words, the entire sphere of the ball must be outside of the line, not the ball's touch point. So the decision was correct.

(https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/3f3e15cc1ab8977b/original/datdz0pms85gbnqy4j3k-pdf.pdf)

When it is so close, as in this case, naked human eyes cannot make a decision, just as in the most cases of 100M race. VAR is absolutely necessary to make a fair decision.

Japan got lucky

In the entire history of football if the contact point - the base of a ball to the field surface - is clearly out then always it's been out. No one in the history of football has ever had a dropping plimsol line overhead view of a football until recent VAR. NO one ever thought about this point. Over the line was out - ie easily visible space between the base of the ball and the line.

And now with the advent of technology that allows them to check, they have updated the rules, the same rules that all the teams knew they were playing under when they entered. It's not like they made this rule up in the game yesterday, to help the Japanese "cheat" - the rule existed, and both teams had entered the tournament with an expected understanding of the rules.

Sure use the technology to cut out the glaring mistakes hands of god etc - but to miniaturize a game on this scale to millimeters essentially computerizing it - a video game if you like - well then there's no end to it.

And why not? As technology improves, we can do things like this, that couldn't previously be done.

@socrateos

Thank you for your reply.

I understand the rule and don't disagree with you. The rule stands.

What irks me is that VAR wasn't introduced to literally put decision making under the microscope - to within mms.

VAR decisions in this tournament have often gone way overboard - witness Messi's awarded penalty for a slight glove graze by Szczesny or the offside debacle in the France - Tunisia game or the mm offside in the Croatia - Belgium game or any of the contradictory varying decisions re handball or any number of other cases.

Some argue that tennis for example uses similar tech - but tennis is played on a court miniscule in size compared to a soccer field, with ball speeds in excess of 200km/h and a ball that flattens out of shape as it strikes the surface. A vastly different world. Same goes for many other sports.

Point is - I agree with technology helping the decision making process - but a more general view is the best option with the benefit of doubt being employed in critically difficult cases.

The game is played on a human scale by humans. Relegating sophisticated computer algorithms to make nth degree decisions in this particular sport takes the shine off the game.

The rule, which is introduced for the first time to everyone but two posters here, is not the issue,

The issue is whether the ball was out or not.

It looked like it was out,

Even from the AP still.

It no longer matters if the ball was in or out because the decision by the ref was made. Japan goes forward as does Spain.

I don’t think Japan or the USA will make it to the quarterfinals but heck who really knows in football.

Maradona and his hand of God goal against England in the 1986 WC quarterfinals.

The only issue is the next knockout stages.

wallaceToday  01:11 pm JST

It no longer matters if the ball was in or out because the decision by the ref was made. Japan goes forward as does Spain.

It matters.

It is the difference between a win and a tie.

Speaking of which, the US is still riding high from its 0-0 victory against England.

That is a more dramatic outcome than Japan's controversial decision over Spain.

England still has not recovered.

Real football fans do not dwell on ref decisions right/wrong good/bad, that happens every week in the season. We move on to the next game.

Still got four teams in the last 16.

England Japan USA Netherlands.

Would have also liked to have seen Wales.

We don't have "ties" in football. They are draws.

@painkiller. Apart from the small fact it was a draw vs the USA. England then beat Wales 3-0 to top the group. You're a funny Guy.

In any case, the USA will struggle against the Dutch tonight, and unlike the England game you will actually have to win this one if you want to progress any further. It's knockout football now and as anybody who actually knows anything about the World Cup this is where it really starts. I wish the USA luck.

@wallace. Yes, it would have been nice to have two home Nations in the R16, but I don't think Wales did anything over 3 games to deserve a spot there. I thought they looked more like a EFL Championship side.

wallaceDec. 3  02:13 pm JST

We don't have "ties" in football. They are draws.

Except when the US ties England. Incredible--at England's own game too. England still has not recovered from that bashing.

Team USA ties with England in second World Cup Match, fans react to tie

https://news.yahoo.com/team-usa-ties-england-second-032854695.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

Indeed. The USA hopelessly outclassed last night.

I am sorry, but US press reports are irrelevant.

Looking forward to another exciting game from Japan!

With our extended family, we had at least 6 teams we could legitimately cheer for, including Japan!