Ex-Germany star blasts ‘unprofessional’ Antonio Rudiger after Japan defeat | soccer

Antonio Rudiger (2) of Germany gestures while players of Japan celebrate at the end of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match against Germany at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar on November 23, 2022. (Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency viaGetty Images)

Antonio Rudiger and Germany were left stunned by Japan in their World Cup opener (Anadolu Agency via Getty)

Dietmar Hamann has branded Antonio Rudiger ‘unprofessional’ and ‘arrogant’ for showboating during Germany’s 2-1 defeat to Japan in their World Cup opener on Wednesday.

Germany’s campaign in Qatar got off to a positive start as Ikay Gundogan put them ahead from the penalty spot in the first half.

But Japan stunned the four-time World Cup winners late in the game as Ritsu Doan equalized before Takuma Asano scored the winner with seven minutes remaining.

Rudiger, meanwhile, unwisely showboated with Germany in front as he used a bizarre running style to shepherd the ball out of play.

And Hamann, who played in the 2002 World Cup final when Germany lost to Brazil, hit out at Rudiger’s ill-timed gesture towards Japan.

‘Rudiger knows he’s going to run the ball out of play and he lifts up his legs,’ Hamann told RTE.

‘You don’t belittle the opposition because it always comes back at some stage.

‘I think it was very unprofessional. I think it was out of order. Arrogant. There’s no defense for it whatever.

‘He was having a laugh, there’s only one team having a laugh now.

‘I don’t know how many people picked up on it, but I will highlight it again because it’s not acceptable.

‘This is the spirit of the game, it’s about respect. He did not respect his opponent from him. And he paid the price for it. I think it was very unprofessional.’

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