“The absence of such a vital player is bound to have some influence sooner or later”, said Hamann, who was instrumental in a defensive role at the centre of midfield as Germany routed Saudi Arabia 8-0 in their Group E opener on Saturday.

Added Hamman: “If we can remain as compact in defence and as aggressive in attack as we were yesterday, we’ll be in the next round.”

Crushing the Saudis 8-0 was pleasing but Ireland will be a different proposition, Germany coach Rudi Voeller insisted.

“I’m satisfied with the victory and the good position we’re in, but that’s it,” the former striker said. “The only thing that matters is that we picked up three points against a team who will probably end the tournament with none,” he said. “Ireland are not in the same league as Saudi Arabia.”

The 1990 World Cup champion said nobody in the Germany squad would get carried away by the Saudi rout. “That will not happen after all we’ve been through over the last two years.”

Beating Ireland, Voeller warned, is no formality. “They put up a convincing show against Cameroon and they’re not going to be overawed,” he said.

Midfielder Bernd Schneider, who completed the 8-0 rout on Saturday with a superb free kick, shared his coach’s analysis. “We are not in the round of 16 yet,” he said. “Ireland and Cameroon will both challenge us much more than Saudi Arabia did.”

German captain Oliver Kahn agreed the toughest tests are yet to come for his side. Miroslav Klose claimed the first hat-trick of the competition and Michael Ballack, Carsten Jancker, Thomas Linke, Oliver Bierhoff and Bernd Schneider also got in on the goalscoring act as the Saudis were ruthlessly swept aside.

‘‘We have two more games to play in the group and it will be different then. They will be far more difficult opponents.’’

Germany coach Rudi Voeller urged his players to keep their feet on the ground.

Republic boss Mick McCarthy will be hoping his players make a better fist of defending against the Germans than the Saudis did, but Voeller was delighted with his side’s hunger for goals.

‘‘From word go we were very committed and did not leave a trace of doubt as to who was going to leave the pitch as winners. Miroslav Klose scored a hat-trick and had one assist (laying on Germany’s fourth goal scored by Ballack) and, as a former forward myself, I like my players scoring lots of goals.

Klose savoured his scoring exploits but warned the Germans will not have it as easy when they face Ireland on Wednesday.

“I watched the Cameroon-Ireland game and I can tell you it will be a different ball game against the Irish.’’

There was little Saudi coach Mohammed Noor could say about his side’s 8-0 hiding.

‘‘It was a disastrous display,’’ he admitted.

‘‘We promise our fans we will do our best in our next two matches.’’