Tests: Kamada fire Japan to victory – Davies injured

Germany’s World Cup team, led by Daichi Kamada, secured a friendly victory over opponents Japan USA in Düsseldorf. Eintracht Frankfurt’s professional scored the opening goal (24th) for the 2-0 (1-0) Asians, with Kaoru Mitoma (88th) making the late decision.

The Japanese, the DFB team’s first opponents in Qatar on November 23, showed a willingness to play and had two other Bundesliga specialists in the starting lineup in Maya Yoshida (Schalke) and Wataru Endo (Stuttgart).

Dortmund’s Giovanni Reina started for the Americans in Qatar. The Japanese are set to test against Ecuador next Tuesday at Düsseldorf’s Merkur Spiel-Arena.

DFB World Cup group opponents Costa Rica also missed out on a win. Against South Korea, who qualified for the finals, coach Luis Fernando Suarez’s side grabbed a late equalizer through superstar Heung-min Son (85′) to draw 2-2. Hee-Shan Hwang gave South Korea the lead (28′) before Jevison Bennett braced (41′, 63′) to turn the game around. Costa Rica goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado is shown a red card for a handball outside the penalty area (79′).

Brazil easily beat Ghana 3-0 (3-0). Marquinhos (9′) and Richarlison (28’/40′) scored for Selecao. World Cup hosts Qatar conceded only their second defeat in the last eleven games in Vienna against Canada with a score of 0: 2 (0: 2). Cyle Laurin (4th) and Jonathan David (13th) scored early for the North Americans around Bayern professional Alphonso Davies, who is making his second World Cup final appearance since 1986.

Alphonso Davies came on as an injured replacement – and made it all clear with ease

However, there are injury concerns about Bayern professional Alphonso Davies. The 21-year-old had to be substituted in the 60th minute after colliding with an opponent. But there is one small clarification: Canada coach John Herdman said after the win: “I think he’s fine. He’s sitting on the bench smiling, so I think he’s fine.” Canada will now move on against Uruguay on Tuesday. Whether Davies will be used before returning to Bayern remains questionable.

In another clash between two World Cup participants, Iran defeated two-time world champions Uruguay 1-0 (0-0) in St. Bolton, Austria. FC Porto’s Mehdi Taremi (79′) scored a late winner for the Asian side, who meet England, Wales and the USA in the opening round.