Townsville Bulletin

German coach faces pressure to quit

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GERMANY sensationa­lly crashed out of the World Cup on Wednesday in one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history – failing to make it past the opening round for the first time since 1938.

In a stunning reverse by the footballin­g superpower who have reached either the final or semi- finals of every World Cup since 2002, the Germans stumbled to a 2- 0 loss to South Korea that left them rooted to the bottom of Group F.

Germany went into the game knowing that a win by two clear goals would have seen them into the last 16. But instead it was Sweden and Mexico who advanced after the Swedes romped to a 3- 0 win over the Mexicans in Yekaterinb­urg.

“The disappoint­ment of us being eliminated is just huge,” said Germany coach Joachim Loew, who is now under pressure to quit despite signing a contract extension until 2022 last month.

“It’s too soon for me to answer, it will take a few hours to see things clearly, the disappoint­ment is very deep in me,” the 58- year said when asked if he would resign.

“It is a really, really bitter evening for us,” defender Mats Hummels said. “The situation is very difficult to put into words.” We had plenty of opportunit­ies, we broke our necks trying out there today.”

Brazil beat Serbia 2- 0 to top Group E and cruise through to a last- 16 meeting with Mexico.

 ??  ?? German players react to their loss against South Korea.
German players react to their loss against South Korea.

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