AL KHOR, Qatar : Germany's second successive group stage exit despite their 4-2 victory over Costa Rica on Thursday appears shocking for a country with such a history of World Cup success - but it shouldn't have been.Germany came to Qatar with a leaky defence that had not kept a clean sheet in a competitive game since the 9-0 victory over Liechtenstein in a World Cup qualifier a year ago.Since then they have conceded 15 goals in 10 competitive games, while in three friendly matches they conceded one goal against the Netherlands and kept a clean sheet only against Israel and Oman.Data company Nielsen Gracenote gave them a 41 per cent chance of failing to progress on the back of their recent struggles.On Thursday their defence was shaky, and a Niklas Sule blunder almost cost them when he attempted to clear an easy cross.Manuel Neuer was present to save his team mates David Raum and Antonio Rudiger, when he tipped over the bar a shot from Keysher Fuller from close range and preserve the lead Serge Gnabry had given them in the first half with a header.With coach Hansi Flick realising that they needed to win by a considerable margin if they were to prolong their stay at the World Cup, big gaps started to appear in Germany's defence.Neuer, however, could do nothing 13 minutes after the restart when Yeltsin Tejeda thundered the ball past him on the rebound after he had first saved a Kendall Waston header.The second goal was no different.
Neuer saved a header from Juan Pablo Vargas but the ball deflected off the German keeper and into the net.Germany traditionally have always had a focal point striker but since Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez departed the stage, no one has stepped in to fill the void.Germany have instead opted to