German coach 'devastated' by loss
Coach Joachim Loew admitted Germany were "devastated" by the 1-0 defeat by Serbia which leaves their progression to the last 16 far from guaranteed.
Loew's team had Miroslav Klose sent off for two debatable yellow cards, while fellow striker Lukas Podolski had a penalty saved.
"We had lots of problems," he said. "It was difficult to come to terms with.
"But I'm still confident we will go through. We have our fate in our own hands, and a good goal difference."
He added: "Of course we are disappointed now, we are devastated by this loss, but we have got the resolve and we have got the will to go through to the next round.
"I don't think this is going to bog us down completely."
Germany were one of the most impressive teams of the first round, with their crushing 4-0 defeat of Australia leaving most observers certain they would cruise through to the knockout stages by topping group D.
They still looked impressive at times in Port Elizabeth but were hampered by a very strict performance from Spanish referee Alberto Undiano - who dished out a total of nine yellow cards - and an absence of composure in front of goal, with Podolski the biggest culprit.
Milan Jovanovic's first-half goal for Serbia means Radomir Antic's side join Germany and Ghana - who play pointless Australia on Saturday - on three points in group D.
"We were not as dominant as we had planned," said Loew, who refused to criticise the referee for his performance.
"Klose should have had to be more careful. Still we have enough quality to get through. We must not let our heads go down."
Bayern Munich's Klose, who is appearing in his third finals, said his second booking for a tackle on Serbia captain Dejan Stankevic was an overreaction by the referee.
Miroslav Klose is sent off
Germany's Klose sent off in first half
"I would have liked to help the team," he said. "I tried to play the ball and it was no foul.
"The referee should have given me a ticking off instead of showing me the yellow. The team tried everything in the second half, they played well and fought hard."
Podolski, who scored Germany's first goal in their opening match against Australia, admitted they were now under pressure with only one group game remaining against Ghana on Wednesday.
"I didn't strike the penalty so badly, normally I am more accurate," he said. "But I have to hold my hand up to the miss. The defeat is quite bitter of course.
"We could have done with a win which would have taken us a step closer to the last 16."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8748492.stm