Germany boss Hansi Flick labels Japan loss ‘bitterly disappointing’ after his side were beaten 2-1

Hansi Flick regrets the ‘bitterly disappointing’ 2-1 defeat of his German side against Japan in their opening game of the World Cup.

Germany dominated possession throughout and took the lead thanks to a penalty from Ilkay Gundogan, but were then stunned by late goals from Japan’s Ritsu Doan and Tahuma Asano.

The loss leaves the 2014 champions third in Group E, meaning they may need to win both of their remaining games against Spain and Costa Rica to avoid elimination in the group stage.

After the match, Flick spoke about Germany’s poor side in the tournament. He said, ‘Japan beat us with their efficiency. It’s bitterly disappointing. We had 78% possession in the first half and had enough chances in the second half that we didn’t finish.

“We can only blame ourselves. We have to get out of this, we have to be brave, we need the aggression in the game that is needed in a World Cup.’

His captain Manuel Neuer added that the loss had put additional pressure on the team, saying: “I’m totally frustrated and angry that we let this game go, it wasn’t necessary.”

‘After the break we didn’t have this course of play anymore and we didn’t play with the same confidence as in the first half.

“We are under pressure from the start now. That was also the most important game of how you start in a tournament, but we messed it up.’

For Japan, the win put them second in the group and in a prime position to reach the first knockout round.

Their manager, Hajime Moriyasu, told reporters, “Our players fought really well. In the last part of the game they came with full force – if it had been Japan before, we might have lost in that situation. But many of our players went to Germany and every day they grew in that league.

“This is a big win, but it’s not the end. We will think about it and prepare for the next match against Costa Rica.’