Duty fulfilled, but disappointed again: The German footballers have reported back with a difficult win against Saudi Arabia in the fight for the hoped-for Olympic medal.

The defensively weak selection of DFB coach Stefan Kuntz fought against outsiders Saudi Arabia in the shortfall 3: 2 (2: 1), but needs another victory to reach the knockout round.

Felix Uduokhai ensured the flattering success with his goal in a hectic final phase (75th minute).

Previously, Nadiem Amiri (11th) and Ragnar Ache (43rd) had scored their second tournament goal three days after the 2: 4 against Brazil.

In particular, the poor defense proved to be vulnerable in Yokohama, Sami Al-Naji equalized twice (30th and 50th).

To make matters worse, Amos Pieper saw the red card for foul play as the last man (67th).

Researcher beginning

In the last group game on Wednesday against Ivory Coast, the 2016 Olympic runner-up now needs another win to safely reach the knockout round.

The Ivorians had wrested a 0-0 from top favorites Brazil.

"We still want to win the gold medal," defender Uduokhai said before the game.

Accordingly, the German team initially took on the "Green Falcons".

The conspicuous Ache should have used a header to lead (4th), and Eduard Löwen (5th) from Bochum also had the 1-0 on foot.

Hectic to the end

Ache and Löwen moved into the starting line-up because Kuntz wanted to spare Anton Stach and Jordan Torunarigha, who had a yellow card, with a view to the last game.

After the ban for captain Maximilian Arnold, the DFB coach only had 14 field players available against the Saudis, so Kuntz could not make full use of the transfer contingent.

When Saudi Arabia became more courageous, the German team struck for the first time: After a combination via substitute captain Max Kruse and Cedric Teuchert, Amiri was able to choose the corner, opted for the bottom right and was successful.

However, the leadership did not ensure safety.

Instead, Al-Naji was allowed to dust off to compensate for the Saudis, who had been rehearsed for months, because goalkeeper Florian Müller only let a shot by Salem Al Dawsari, known as "El Tornado", be clapped off.

Ache, who was nominated for the Olympic squad only at short notice, calmed the nerves down again for the time being. Pieper, one of three U21 European champions in the starting line-up, played a perfect pass to the striker who was successful in pursuing. Al-Naji managed to equalize again shortly after the break. After Pieper saw the second German expulsion from the tournament, it got hectic again, Uduokhai scored the 3-2 with his head. The lead wobbled into stoppage time.