Takuma Asano: A Precision Katana Cut: Takuma Asano, 83’ Against Germany

It could be a German who first showed 25 years before the World Cup that light bends under the influence of gravity. But Japan’s Takuma Asano finished 83rd.
^third Minutes in their first match against Germany on Wednesday that really demonstrated ‘how it’s done’.

Kou Itakura’s long ball was caught by Asano from a free kick. He makes a run to the German box with Borussia Dortmund’s 6ft 3in defender Nico Schlotterbeck, the 5ft 8in Bochum forward moving like a ship against a speed-boat. This is an impossible angle for the Japanese, made more difficult as the attacker and defender – Manuel Neuer not yet visible in the picture – push each other as if in a fast-paced James Bond sequence. on the roof of the train.

Remarkably, Asano not only keeps his ground, but he also finds a slit between Neuer and the still-looming Scholterbeck to smash the ball soaring into the roof of the German net. This physics-defying goal that sealed Germany’s fate remains the most difficult – and best – goal ever scored in a tournament that has already overturned established laws, awaiting re-evaluation.

Originally published at Pen 18