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Gary Lineker hits out at BBC over past World Cup coverage
A FIFA steward shushed ITV1 commentator Ally McCoist live on air after Japan's Takuma Asano fired his nation ahead late on against Germany in their shock World Cup win on Wednesday afternoon. McCoist was told to simmer down whilst passionately reacting to Niklas Sule's poor defending around furious German reporters.
Ilkay Gundogan fired Germany ahead with a first-half penalty. However, Hansi Flick's side weren't convincing, and Japan cashed in on their momentum as Ritsu Doan beat an inspired Manuel Neuer just four minutes after coming on. Fellow substitute Asano latched onto an 83rd-minute long ball to fire net a stunning winner.
McCoist was on commentary with Sam Matterface for ITV1's broadcast, and both were in disbelief after Japan fought from behind to start their World Cup campaign in style. But McCoist's reaction was characteristically passionate, and sharp-eared viewers could hear him get told to quieten down after blasting Sule's defending and hailing Asano's strike.
He reacted, getting louder by the sentence: "Oh, unbelievable, unbelievable. Ohhh - what is Sule doing on the right-hand side? I can't believe his positioning, playing him onside. But it's brilliant. Oh! What a finish it is! Brilliant run, brilliant touch, right into the roof of the net. I mentioned it before. He's looked lively since he's come on. What!
Ally McCoist was shushed live on air after Japan's winner. (Image: GETTY)
"It's just a long ball up the… I need to see it again, but I'm thinking to myself… what is Sule's positioning?! I need to see it again… it's just a long ball. Look! Two yards deeper. What's his positioning? His positioning's shocking! I sound like I'm taking away from the finish, and I'm not. That is brilliant. Asano comes on and takes a great touch, none better than his final one."
McCoist was also enjoying the company of angry German reporters in the press box after they watched their country crumble to the Asian underdogs. Matterface mentioned: "We've got German journalists all around us throwing their arms up in exasperation. To which McCoist replied: "Magic, isn't it?"
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Germany endured a nightmare start to the World Cup. (Image: Getty)
Germany are in a precarious position in Group E, with fellow giants Spain up next before finishing against Costa Rica. If the Spaniards defeat Costa Rica this evening and Japan make it two wins in two against the same opposition, Flick's men would have to avoid defeat in MD2 to keep their knockout hopes alive.
Four years on from exiting at the group stage after losing to Mexico and South Korea, back-to-back failures after lifting the illustrious trophy in 2014 is a nightmare prospect.
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