Germany fight back, draw with Japan

Leverkusen (Germany): World Cup hosts Germany came from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw with fellow finalists Japan in a warm-up game on Tuesday.

Naohiro Takahara struck two fine goals to give Japan a 2-0 lead by the 65th minute and the visitors might have had more as Germany turned in a shocking defensive display.

Germany, who had Michael Ballack back in the side after injury, were stung into reaction by that second goal and replied when Miroslav Klose bundled in a Bastian Schweinsteiger free kick at the far post in the 76th minute.

Four minutes later, Schweinsteiger headed in a Bernd Schneider free kick to salvage a draw that will at least keep the flame of optimism flickering in the host nation.

Japan, who are in Group F with Brazil, Croatia and Australia, had Akira Kaji taken off on a stretcher in the first half.

It was not immediately clear how serious the injury was. Germany have one more warm-up match against Colombia on June 2 before they get the World Cup underway against Costa Rica in Munich on June 9.

The hosts have further Group A matches against Poland and Ecuador. Coach Juergen Klinsmann knows he has much work to do on his defence in the final days before the World Cup.

"Obviously it feels better to equalise after being two goals down," he said. A defeat would have been irritating but not the end of the world. We let them have too many chances."

Ballack surprisingly started on the right side of midfield. The idea was to give Tim Borowski a free role in the centre after his good display in Saturday's 7-0 win over Luxembourg but it seemed to confuse the German midfield.

Japan almost took advantage of the disarray when Atsushi Yanagisawa slipped a reverse pass to Hidetoshi Nakata, who forced goalkeeper Jens Lehmann to save with his feet.

The visitors had an even better chance when Nakata dispossessed Torsten Frings, received a return pass and shot limply into the arms of Lehmann on the edge of his area.

Lehmann had to save again from Yanagisawa from another swift break at the start of the second half.

Jens Nowotny came on to replace Christoph Metzelder at centre-back and win his first cap since Euro 2004.

Almost immediately he was caught hopelessly out of position as Japan broke from a corner, leaving Takahara to take advantage by lifting a shot into the top of the net in the 57th minute.

Eight minutes later, Takahara helped himself to a second, turning inside Ballack from the right of the area and scoring in off the par post.