Germany defender Robin Gosens shows his frustration following Japan's third goal, scored by Takuma Asano, during a 4-1 friendly loss for the host in Wolfsburg.

WOLFSBURG, Germany — Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu watched his side achieve a stunning 4-1 win over Germany on Saturday and then said it "still needs to improve" before the Asian Cup next year.

Japan scored two goals in each half to thump its struggling host, pushing Germany manager Hansi Flick closer to a possible exit just months before his nation hosts Euro 2024.

The result echoed Japan's 2-1 win against the Germans in last year's World Cup in Qatar, which helped dump Flick's team out of the tournament at the group stage.

Moriyasu told reporters "we need to not only congratulate ourselves, but we need to continue our development".

"There are more teams, more challenges, so in this sense, we have many more tasks."

The coach said his side "put a good deal of pressure on Germany "but "we need to improve".

"We need to be more compact, everyone must defend, everyone needs to attack, we need to react dynamically."

Japan has now won three games in a row ahead of the Asian Cup tournament, which kicks off in January in Qatar.

Moriyasu insisted Flick's side was "still among the top teams in the world" despite the loss, and credited Germany and the Bundesliga for improving Japanese soccer in recent years.

"There are always good times and bad times... we are in the middle of a good period.

"I want to make it clear, we have had lots of support from Germany and German managers... many players have learned a lot during their time in the Bundesliga.

"We are very grateful to Germany."

Japan won praise from Flick, who said his side could learn from the Blue Samurai's recent development and improvement.

"You can see how much they've developed and how much football has developed in Japan.

"You can see how skilled they are, offensive and defensive. We need more."

'Want to continue'

Flick said he remained "convinced" he was the right man to lead Germany to Euro 2024, despite the humiliation, Germany's fourth loss in its past five games

Flick told reporters after the match he believed he was the right man for the job, "even if that's difficult to see".

"We are preparing well, we are preparing well for each opponent — there's nothing to be said about that.

"We are convinced of what we are doing and that's why I want to continue (as Germany coach)."

Germany sporting director Rudi Voeller said after the match the German FA would avoid making any rash decisions on Flick's future, telling RTL: "I would suggest we collect ourselves and we sleep on it. We are all a little in shock...a defeat like that hurts.

"We should all do some soul searching and think about it. What happens next, we'll see."

Flick coached Germany to a disappointing group-stage exit at the Qatar World Cup, where his side won just one of three matches.

Germany has now been eliminated at the group stage in the past two World Cups, lost to England in the last 16 at the 2021 Euros and faces a possible humiliation on home soil at the 2024 event.

Despite chants of "Flick out" from some sections of the crowd — and captain Ilkay Gundogan saying his side "needs to ask questions of ourselves" — the coach backed his team to improve in Tuesday's clash with France in Dortmund.

"Everyone that was on the field today wants to show another face (against France)," Flick said.

"It's football, we have another chance and we're looking forward to it."

Flick said Germany needed to improve its youth development, pointing to Japan as an example from which the four-time world champion can learn.

Flick said Germany's problems had deep roots.

"We need to work on it," he said of his desire to employ more flair.