Of course, Christopher Rühr knew immediately that he had managed a hockey-technical masterpiece in his 170th international match.

On the one hand, because "I know very well where the goal is," as he said.

On the other hand, it illustrated a lot of individual class and plenty of will, which the German men say they want to muster in order to be world champions in two weeks if possible.

And furthermore, Rühr's goal, when he single-handedly beat the opposing goalkeeper and two defenders, had a liberating effect because it was the goal to make it 2-0.

In the end, the German team won 3-0 against Japan at the start of the tournament in India.

And Rühr was able to sort his dream goal into his personal top 10 of beautiful goals.

And that's saying something for the Rot-Weiss Köln striker, who has already scored 68 international goals and dozens more in the Bundesliga.

It is well known that the German team has a lot of quality up front.

This championship in the East Indies should also prove that the defense is also at the top level and remains stable against the world's best.

Which has not been the case in recent years and has cost medals - most recently in the lost bronze game at the 2021 Olympics.

First reliable conclusions

Now Japan was not the ultimate test bench on Saturday.

But as resolutely and effectively as the selection of the German Hockey Federation defended, it was a good indication of improved defences.

The duel against world champions and Olympic champions Belgium in the second group game this Tuesday (2.30 p.m. on DAZN) will of course only provide reliable information about the performance in all parts of the team.

The Belgians, for their part, were successful in the first group game: they beat South Korea 5-0.

"I see us as equals, it will be an open game," confirms André Henning.

But the national coach also says: “We would like to become a classic German tournament team that improves over the course of the tournament.

We want to be at the top level in the knockout games.”

Against Japan, the team was still a long way off.

The Asians' intensive running style initially stressed them out, so that the offensive actions only became more stringent from the second quarter onwards.

At the beginning of the second half, it took the fifth penalty corner before a co-production by brothers Tom and Mats Grambusch made it 1-0.

experiences in India

That was followed by the gala performance by Rühr (41st), before Thies Prinz (49th) was able to raise the ball.

“Everyone has big plans and wants to show everything right away.

We also wanted a lot against Japan very early on,” said Henning.

In the end, however, “there were easily six or seven goals.

But we are also so satisfied.”

Not only with the result, but also with the experience that a world championship in hockey-crazy India brings with it.

The Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar is a well-attended and atmospheric place even without the participation of the host country.

"Playing in front of 15,000 crazy Indian fans is the best feeling in the world," said offensive man Ruhr.

The 29-year-old exudes a lot of optimism that the era without a title for the German hockey men on the subcontinent since the European Championship victory in 2013 could end.

"I'm more confident than I've been in recent years.

I finally have the feeling that we can really play for the title again," said Rühr.

This will probably require further world-class actions from him in the opposing circle.