AFP, Duisburg
Germany’s performance wasdubbed “embarrassing” after they suffered their first World Cup qualifyingdefeat for 20 years in a humiliating 2-1 home loss to North Macedonia whichheaped pressure on coach Joachim Loew.
“The disappointment is huge,” said a crest-fallen Loew after the finalwhistle in Duisburg on Wednesday.
“This is a set-back. There were a lot of mistakes and we didn’t find a wayto break down the deep-standing North Macedonians.
“We also let them counter-attack and had no grip on the game.”
Napoli midfielder EljifElmas scored the winner five minutes from timeafter IlkayGundogan’s penalty had drawn Germany level following 37-year-oldstriker Goran Pandev’s first-half opener.
The German press were quick to put the boot in.
“How embarrassing!” fumed daily Bild on their website.
“Nasty Surprise” said football magazine Kicker while Frankfurt-based dailyFAZ opted for “Rude awakening for the German team”.
The four-time world champions have never failed to qualify for football’sbiggest tournament, but did not enter the inaugural edition in 1930 and werebanned in 1950.
However, Loew’s men are already languishing third in the Group J table,three points adrift of leaders Armenia and behind North Macedonia on goaldifference.
“The fact is, that shouldn’t have been allowed to happen,” admitted stand-in captain Gundogan after Germany’s first World Cup qualifying loss since theinfamous 5-1 thrashing by England in 2001.
“It felt as though North Macedonia only got near our goal twice and scoredtwice — it was too easy.
“We had chances and only scored one goal.
“It hurts all the more that not much will happen for two months,” he addedas Germany do not play again until their Euro 2020 warm-up matches in June.