Moments after their shocking 1-2 defeat to Japan in their World Cup Group E opener at the Khalifa International Stadium, the utterly disappointed German team sidestepped a special buffet dinner organised by their hotel staff. The German team are put up at a plush sea-side resort in the northernmost tip of the country. 

And the resort staff, it is learnt, had planned an elaborate dinner spread with German delicacies, Arabian delights and a mini-music night to mark what they thought would be a special evening for their guests, who were expected to be returning victorious and happy after their 4pm World Cup campaign-opening fixture.