Having experienced midfielder Tameka Yallop ruled out through injury just before the game did little to help Australia’s chances as they were caught off guard by the Germans' fluidity early in the game.

Australia struggled to create opportunities in the first half and lacked their usual high-tempo approach with Gustavsson admitting that Germany caught them by surprise.

“I don’t think we were ready for it,” said Gustavsson on Germany’s dominance in the first half. “They were a class better than us tonight. It’s just a fact. We need to be real and honest about that. Obviously a bit upset that they scored on two set-pieces, which we had been training.

“Still, they’re good enough to score two on set plays and when they get that 1-0, they manage to get the game to where they want it and sit back and transition on us, and that’s not really what Germany normally do."

Australia must win their next game against Zambia, who also suffered a 3-0 defeat to the United States with Gustavsson wanting his team to switch their focus immediately.

“What we need to do now is learn from this game, delete it as soon as possible. We have two days to prepare for Zambia and hopefully we can make more people back home proud after that game,” added the 50-year-old Swede. 

“We need to be real and say, ‘OK, let’s use this as a wake-up call.’ We’re in international football now, and we have no time to dwell. We just need to be straight back on it and focus on Zambia.”