News (engl.)

Germany Women continued their winning start to the new international season with a 2-1 victory over Japan in front of 26,574 fans at Bremen’s Weserstadion. Christian Wück’s side fell behind to Momoko Tanikawa’s opener (15’), before Linda Dallmann drew Germany level ahead of the break (28’). Klara Bühl then completed the comeback in the second half (73’).

Wück once again started Ena Mahmutovic in goal, behind a back four of Franziska Kett, Camilla Küver, Sophia Kleinherne and Marie Müller. Sjoeke Nüsken and Elisa Senß occupied the deeper midfield positions, with Klara Bühl, Linda Dallmann and Jule Brand supporting Nicole Anyomi in attack.

Dallmann provides response to Japan opener

Japan saw plenty of the ball early on, with Honoka Hayashi having the first effort of the game (4’). Germany then threatened for the first time after winning possession high up the pitch, although Bühl’s cross from the left found no takers (6’). Brand fired over from distance shortly afterwards (11’), before Dallmann went on a fine solo run and sent her effort narrowly wide (13’).

Japan continued to play their way into dangerous areas and took the lead through Tanikawa. Picked out inside the box, she found enough space between Küver and Kleinherne to shape for the shot before clinically firing past Mahmutovic (15’).

Germany began to take greater control after falling behind and, urged on by the home crowd, carried an increasing threat going forward. A slick passing move ended with Bühl lifting the ball dangerously across goal, but Japan were able to clear (21’). Her next delivery did lead to the equaliser though. Bühl again made ground down the left before cutting the ball back for Dallmann, who smashed her finish under the crossbar via the slightest of deflections to make it 1-1 (28’).

The contest became increasingly open, with opportunities at both ends. Kleinherne made an important intervention as Kiko Seike raced towards goal (33’), while Dallmann was inches away from turning home Müller’s delivery from deep and putting Germany ahead (38’). Bühl then got the better of her marker down the left shortly before the interval, cut inside and curled an effort narrowly wide (40’).

Bühl completes the comeback

Wück made two changes at half time, introducing Janina Minge and Melissa Kössler, who had scored twice against Australia, in place of Küver and Anyomi. Kett had the first chance to create something after a well-worked move, but Yamashita claimed her cross before Kössler could reach it (52’).

Japan dropped into a more compact shape after the break, making it more difficult for Dallmann and Bühl to find space. Müller started Germany’s next promising move with a pass into Brand, who slipped Kössler through. The substitute showed good awareness to pick out Senß inside the six-yard box, only for her shot to be blocked (62’). Cora Zicai and Carlotta Wamser then came on for Brand and Müller as Germany looked for a way through.

Bühl and Dallmann combined again as Germany went close to taking the lead. Bühl drove towards the edge of the box before finding Dallmann, whose shot on the turn was tipped over brilliantly by Yamashita (66’). Germany’s pressure finally paid off seven minutes later. Japan gave the ball away while trying to play out from the back, Kössler spotted Bühl making the run in behind and picked her out with a well-weighted pass. Bühl made no mistake, calmly finishing to put Germany 2-1 ahead (73’).

Japan spent much of the closing stages pinned back and rarely threatened Mahmutovic’s goal. Shekiera Martinez and Sarai Linder replaced Dallmann and Kett late on, before Germany comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to secure a second victory in as many games during the October break.