Journalists celebrate Germany shock defeat

DOHA. - Even neutrals in the press box were cheering Japan’s historic victory over Germany because of their ‘perceived arrogance’, believes Matt Barlow.

Germany lost 2-1 to Japan in their opening game at the World Cup after two late goals from Ritsu Dona and Takuma Asano in another huge upset at the tournament.

Following the game, there were huge celebrations in the press box and the main media centre in Doha, and Barlow insists that people enjoy seeing teams like Germany lose.

Daily Mail football writer Matt Barlow was speaking as part of Sportsmail and MailPlus daily videocast ‘World Cup Confidential.’

In a conversation with fellow Sportsmail colleagues Ian Ladyman, Rob Draper and Martin Samuel, Barlow believed people are fed up with

Germany dominating tournaments.

Within the episode, Barlow was questioned by Ladyman as to why people were so happy at Germany’s historic loss after similar scenes at the World Cup four years ago.

Ladyman had asked: “There were huge celebrations in the main media centre in Doha and excitement when Germany lost. That was the same four years ago in Russia.

“What is it about the Germans that provokes people in that way? “Why does everyone want Germany to lose? What’s the problem?”

Barlow replied: “I think it’s like England. I was there yesterday and everyone cheered and it wasn’t even the English desk.

“I was at Euro 2016 watching from another stadium when England lost to Iceland -everyone cheered there.

“Because it’s perceived arrogance. I think it is the idea that England, Germany and a couple of other countries think they’re good at football and everything they do is OK.

“Maybe, with the Germans they’ve seen them win a lot and get to a lot of finals. Maybe, they fancy something different.”

The accusations of arrogance were further enhanced by Germany defender Antonio Rudiger showboating when his side were 1-0 up.