DOHA: Germany face a fight for World Cup survival on Sunday in a must-win clash with Spain as Japan and Belgium look to seal their place in the last 16.
For the second World Cup running, Germany will suffer a humiliating exit in the group phase if they lose their Group E clash with in-form Spain at the Al Bayt Stadium.
The four-time champions were left staring down the barrel of elimination after crashing to a shock 2-1 loss to Japan in their opening fixture on Wednesday.
The prospect of an early German exit — four years after bowing out at the same stage at the 2018 finals in Russia — was practically unthinkable before the tournament.
German coach Hansi Flick insisted on Saturday his team had the quality to bounce back against a rampant Spain team who obliterated Costa Rica 7-0 in their opening game.
“We have a team that has quality, that can implement the things (we are working on), and we are very positive about it,” Flick said.
“We need to arrive with courage and with faith in our quality for this game against Spain.”
Spain coach Luis Enrique meanwhile says his team face a “beautiful challenge” as they chase a win that will see them into the last 16.
Luis Enrique cautioned however that Germany’s World Cup pedigree — they won their fourth title in 2014 — meant nothing could be taken for granted.
“They are world champions, when you look there are four stars on their shirt,” the Spain coach said.
“I have a lot of respect for their players, they are world class, and their history is there to see.”
- Past their peak -
A Spanish victory would mean Japan would also secure their passage to their knockouts if they beat Costa Rica.
On paper, a place in the last 16 is beckoning for the skilful and energetic Blue Samurai against an aging Costa Rica team that looked to have been reeled in by Father Time during the dissection by Spain.
Japan captain Maya Yoshida warned on Saturday however that there was no danger his team would take the Costa Ricans for granted.
“They got hammered in their previous game so I think they’re really going to go for it,” Yoshida said.
“There are no easy teams at the World Cup. They will be fighting for the pride of their country and we have to be mentally prepared to deal with that.”
Elsewhere on Sunday, 2018 third place finishers Belgium could advance with a victory over Morocco in Group F.
Belgium captain Eden Hazard admitted on Saturday that the Red Devils’ vaunted “Golden Generation” is also past its peak — but insisted they remain World Cup contenders.
“To be fair I think we had a better chance to win four years go,” the 31-year-old said.
“The team was better four years ago but still we have the quality to win games and to win the competition. We have a few guys, they are a bit older now but we have experience and the best goalkeeper in the world (Thibaut Courtois).”
Sunday’s other Group F game sees 2018 runners up Croatia look to edge toward the last 16 against Canada, playing in their first World Cup since 1986.
On Saturday, France became the first team into the second round after two goals from Kylian Mbappe inspired a 2-1 win over Denmark in Group D.
Argentina also resurrected their campaign following a shock opening defeat to Saudi Arabia after goals from Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez secured a 2-0 win over Mexico in Group C.
“We knew that we had to win today, that another World Cup was starting for us and we knew how to do it,” Messi said.
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Germany fighting for survival as Spain, Japan eye last 16
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Germany fighting for survival as Spain, Japan eye last 16
- Germany will suffer a humiliating exit in the group phase if they lose their Group E clash with in-form Spain
- The prospect of an early German exit was practically unthinkable before the tournament
NBA legend Jordan, NASCAR settle anti-trust lawsuit
- Suit accused NASCAR and the racing circuit’s chief executive operating without transparency, stifling competition and controlling the sport
- Front Row and 23XI were the only two NASCAR teams out of 15 who did not sign the new charters at the heart of the dispute
MIAMI: NBA legend Michael Jordan reached a settlement in his anti-trust case against NASCAR on Thursday, ending a federal lawsuit that had threatened to upend the sport.
Jordan’s 23XI Racing and the Front Row Motorsports teams had both sued NASCAR after refusing to sign the circuit’s new charters, the rules which guarantee teams entry to races and share of prize money.
Front Row and 23XI alleged the charters were unfair and did not give the teams enough rights or money.
The suit accused NASCAR and the racing circuit’s chief executive Jim France of operating without transparency, stifling competition, and controlling the sport in ways that unfairly benefit them at the expense of team owners, drivers, sponsors, partners and fans.
However in a joint statement issued on Thursday, the warring factions announced a settlement had now been reached which would see NASCAR issue an amendment to existing charter holders. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“From the beginning, this lawsuit was about progress,” Jordan said in a statement.
“It was about making sure our sport evolves in a way that supports everyone: teams, drivers, partners, employees and fans,” added Jordan, who had testified in court last week after the trial got underway.
“With a foundation to build equity and invest in the future and a stronger voice in the decisions ahead, we now have the chance to grow together and make the sport even better for generations to come,” Jordan said.
Front Row and 23XI were the only two NASCAR teams out of 15 who did not sign the new charters at the heart of the dispute.
NASCAR chief executive France said Thursday’s agreement ensured the future of the circuit for “generations to come.”
“We worked closely with race teams and tracks to create the NASCAR charter system in 2016, and it has proven invaluable to their operations and to the quality of racing across the Cup Series,” France said.
“Today’s agreement reaffirms our commitment to preserving and enhancing that value.”
Jordan’s 23XI Racing and the Front Row Motorsports teams had both sued NASCAR after refusing to sign the circuit’s new charters, the rules which guarantee teams entry to races and share of prize money.
Front Row and 23XI alleged the charters were unfair and did not give the teams enough rights or money.
The suit accused NASCAR and the racing circuit’s chief executive Jim France of operating without transparency, stifling competition, and controlling the sport in ways that unfairly benefit them at the expense of team owners, drivers, sponsors, partners and fans.
However in a joint statement issued on Thursday, the warring factions announced a settlement had now been reached which would see NASCAR issue an amendment to existing charter holders. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“From the beginning, this lawsuit was about progress,” Jordan said in a statement.
“It was about making sure our sport evolves in a way that supports everyone: teams, drivers, partners, employees and fans,” added Jordan, who had testified in court last week after the trial got underway.
“With a foundation to build equity and invest in the future and a stronger voice in the decisions ahead, we now have the chance to grow together and make the sport even better for generations to come,” Jordan said.
Front Row and 23XI were the only two NASCAR teams out of 15 who did not sign the new charters at the heart of the dispute.
NASCAR chief executive France said Thursday’s agreement ensured the future of the circuit for “generations to come.”
“We worked closely with race teams and tracks to create the NASCAR charter system in 2016, and it has proven invaluable to their operations and to the quality of racing across the Cup Series,” France said.
“Today’s agreement reaffirms our commitment to preserving and enhancing that value.”
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