Saudi Arabia-inspired Japan players savour special victory over Germany

The Japanese players jokingly called for the same reward as the Saudis – a public holiday back home.

GOOD ON YA: Japan's head coach Hajime Moriyasu, right, congratulates his player Takumi Minamino. Pic:AP Photo/Luca Bruno

JAPAN's players admitted Saudi Arabia’s unlikely win over Argentina had provided the inspiration for their own giant-killing of Germany, and jokingly called for the same reward – a public holiday back home.

The Japanese squad were in their team bus going to training on Tuesday as they watched Saudi Arabia’s victory over Argentina, and then did exactly the same in Doha yesterday as they beat the four-time world champions with two late goals.