Japan thrash Germany 4-1 to heap more misery on Hansi Flick

Four Borussia Dortmund players were involved as Germany were handed a shock 4-1 defeat by Japan on Saturday, leaving Hansi Flick’s future as head coach in serious doubt.

Germany suffered a new low on Saturday, as they were beaten 4-1 by Japan. Hansi Flick’s side delivered yet another abject performance, leaving his job as head coach hanging by a thread. It was Germany’s fourth defeat in their last five games, and the national team appears to be in crisis less than 12 months away from the European Championship on home soil.

Niklas Süle, Nico Schlotterbeck and Emre Can were all in the starting XI for Germany, while Julian Brandt came off the bench and Felix Nmecha was an unused substitute. Schlotterbeck had a game to forget as he was asked to play at left-back, while Süle and Can did not fare any better as Japan carved open the Germany defence at will.

Japan took the lead in the 11th minute, with Junya Ito opening the scoring from close range. Leroy Sané issued an instant response for Germany, only for Ayase Ueda to restore Japan’s lead three minutes later. Both of Japan’s first-half goals came from Schlotterbeck’s flank.

A swift counter-attack then helped Japan make it 3-1 in the 90th minute, with Bochum’s Takuma Asano finding the back of the net. Fortuna Düsseldorf’s Ao Tanaka then added a fourth in the 92nd minute to make it yet another evening to forget for Germany.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Hansi Flick following his side’s latest crushing defeat. Things do not get any easier for Germany, with a friendly against France up next on Tuesday.