Mumbai, Nov. 24 -- B.Z., a Berlin-based tabloid, best summarised the mood in Germany after their national team's 2-1 defeat to Japan in their Qatar World Cup opener. Splashing their front page with an image of fans in a local pub with their eyes and face covered below the picture of the German players covering their mouths for the protest sign, the headline read: "IHR SO...WIR SO", translated "You go...we go".

There was a feeling of anger, disappointment, frustration and prophesy among fans, media, pundits and former players alike in Germany to a shocking loss that leaves the four-time world champions in a precarious spot to wriggle out of a Group E also comprising Spain and Costa Rica.

"We did not do some things right in terms of tacti...