Valiant in defeat has become a common catchphrase when Australia face superior opposition. On an overcast Monday evening in Sochi the Socceroos showed touches of brilliance to ensure a respectable 3-2 scoreline without ever truly threatening their inexperienced German opponents.

Before the Socceroos’ first game of the 2017 Fifa Confederations Cup the surrealism of Fisht Stadium suggested that anything might be possible in Sochi. Legacy infrastructure from the 2014 Winter Olympics, the 47,659-seat arena is nestled on the shores of the Black Sea alongside a turrets-and-all castle hotel and brightly coloured rollercoasters. Optimistic Australian fans could be forgiven for imagining a wonderland where victory against the world champions was possible.

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It took Germany five minutes to shatter those illusions and highlight the frailties of Australia’s three-man defence, a system staunchly defended by the coach, Ange Postecoglou, in recent months. A break from Julian Brandt on the right flank caused Australia’s defensive trio to scramble, inadvertently leaving Lars Stindl alone in the box. After controlling a slicing cutback, the Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder calmly converted past Mat Ryan to record his first international goal.

For a moment it looked as if Australia would crumble. Die Mannschaft continued to wreak havoc past Aziz Behich on the left wing, and a repeat of the Socceroos’ recent 4-0 trouncing by Brazil seemed imminent. But with a host of stars absent – Mesut Özil, Mario Gómez and Thomas Müller are not in the squad – Germany’s inexperienced attack was profligate in the final third.

Following an extended period of anonymity, Celtic’s mercurial playmaker Tom Rogic put the Socceroos level as the clock ticked towards half-time. The Canberran fired off a shot reminiscent of his wonder-strike against Saudi Arabia last week, only to have it blocked by a German defender. Unfussed, Rogic regathered and tried again, the ball squeezing under a diving Bernd Leno.

A 1-1 half-time scoreline would have flattered Postecoglou’s side. But in the closing moments of the opening half an ill-advised lunge by the Tottenham academy product Massimo Luongo led to a penalty. The German captain, Julian Draxler, converted.

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Three minutes after the restart it seemed once more that the floodgates would open. A superb aerial pass from Joshua Kimmich found the 22-year-old Leon Goretzka, who showed deft skill to control and finish. But again Australia responded, Tomi Juric pouncing on a Leno fumble in the 56th minute to narrow Germany’s advantage.

Despite a number of fluid exchanges and several half opportunities, an equaliser never came for the Socceroos. Germany showed experience beyond their years to close out the encounter, concluding with almost 60% possession.

Facing the media just 24 hours after a fiery press conference, Postecoglou took full responsibility for his side’s defeat. “It is no fault of the players to be fair to them – they stuck to our principles,” he offered. “In the first-half [Germany] were just too good for us and we struggled to get hold of the game. We allowed them too much space and probably too much respect.”

While Postecoglou was heartened by an improved second half showing, the former Brisbane Roar boss was in no mood to revel in the positives of defeat. “We did not come here to lose, and we lost tonight,” he deadpanned. Late substitute Tim Cahill expressed similar sentiment: “Scoring two goals against Germany is a great achievement, but points would have been the real achievement.”

The Socceroos fly to Saint Petersburg overnight, where they will begin preparations for a crunch clash with the African champions Cameroon on Friday while Germany head to Kazan to face Chile. Postecoglou’s troops must now beat an unpredictable Cameroon to have any hope of progressing to the semi-finals.

“We know Cameroon are a good side with their threats, but so are we,” said Bristol City defender Bailey Wright. “We will recover, have our game-plan and be confident. We have another opportunity to play against a good team, show what we are about and win the game.”

Valiant in defeat might be a tolerable excuse against the world champions, but such platitudes won’t hold weight against Cameroon. If the Socceroos cannot secure a win in Saint Petersburg, their Confederations Cup hopes will be dashed and the pressure increased ahead of an all-important World Cup qualifier in August.