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‘How embarrassing’: Germany suffer first World Cup qualifying loss in 20
years
DUISBURG, Germany, April 1, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Germany’s performance was
dubbed “embarrassing” after they suffered their first World Cup qualifying
defeat for 20 years in a humiliating 2-1 home loss to North Macedonia which
heaped pressure on coach Joachim Loew.
“The disappointment is huge,” said a crest-fallen Loew after the final
whistle in Duisburg on Wednesday.
“This is a set-back. There were a lot of mistakes and we didn’t find a way
to break down the deep-standing North Macedonians.
“We also let them counter-attack and had no grip on the game.”
Napoli midfielder Eljif Elmas scored the winner five minutes from time
after Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty had drawn Germany level following 37-year-old
striker 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 daily
FAZ opted for “Rude awakening for the German team”.
The four-time world champions have never failed to qualify for football’s
biggest tournament, but did not enter the inaugural edition in 1930 and were
banned 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 goal
difference.
“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 the
infamous 5-1 thrashing by England in 2001.
“It felt as though North Macedonia only got near our goal twice and scored
twice — 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 added
as Germany do not play again until their Euro 2020 warm-up matches in June.
“We have to get in top shape by the end of May and prepare for the
(European championship) tournament.”
Germany face world champions France and holders Portugal in their European
championship group.
The defeat was just the latest setback suffered by Germany, after their 6-
0 drubbing by Spain last November and the shock group-stage exit at the 2018
World Cup in Russia.
The loss, which ended an 18-match winning streak in World Cup qualifying,
will put pressure on Loew, who will step down following the Euro 2020 finals
in July after 15 years in charge.
The result will also weigh on struggling Chelsea striker Timo Werner, who
squandered a golden chance with the score 1-1 after coming off the bench in
the second half.
“I’m sorry for him (Werner),” admitted Gundogan.
The former RB Leipzig striker has now scored only two goals in his last 31
appearances for club and country.
– Pandev strikes –
North Macedonian are ranked 65th in the world, 52 places below Germany,
but it was the visitors who took the lead in Duisburg.
Germany were made to pay for missing several early chances, including a
skied shot by Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry with the goal at his mercy.
In added time at the end of the first half, North Macedonia’s 37-year-old
striker Pandev fired home his 38th international goal.
Germany were suddenly faced with failing to win a World Cup qualifier for
the first time since being held to a 4-4 draw at home by Sweden in 2012.
With an hour gone Gundogan, Germany’s captain for the night with Manuel
Neuer rested, stepped up to convert the resulting penalty after Leroy Sane
went down in the area. After Werner’s howler, North Macedonia took their
chance when Dinamo Zagreb’s Arijan Ademi beat Werner’s Chelsea team-mate
Antonio Ruediger and squared for Elmas to fire past Germany goalkeeper Marc-
Andre ter Stegen.
Before kick-off, the Germans revealed a banner with the words “Wir sind
30” (We are 30), in black-red-gold lettering, referring to the United
Nations’ 30-point declaration of Human Rights.
It was the third straight match where the Germans have made a protest
aimed at 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar.
Several other nations including Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands and
Norway have also protested for human rights before their qualifiers over the
last week.
Qatar has faced criticism for its treatment of migrant workers, many of
whom are involved in preparations for next year’s tournament, while Qatari
authorities insist they have done more than any country in the region to
improve worker welfare.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 0836 hrs