29 years ago, Japan played Iraq in a 1994 World Cup qualifier match. Japan was leading Iraq 2–1. A win would ensure them their maiden berth in the World Cup. But those dreams were dashed when Iraq scored in extra time to equalize the margin.
In Japanese football, that match is known as ‘Agony in Doha’. The word Doha is now emitting a completely different feeling for Japan. The Japanese media has named the victory over Germany as the ‘Miracle in Doha’.
Until now, the term ‘miracle’ was only used for a single World Cup match, notably West Germany’s victory over unbeatable Hungary in the 1954 World Cup final. A film has also been made on that match.
But now there are two such ‘miracles’. The irony of fate is that the one who had done ‘miracle’ 68 years ago, has now become a victim of ‘miracle’.
*The report appeared in the online edition of Prothom Elo and has been rewritten for the English version by Ashfaq-ul-Alam Niloy