Women's soccer - Hrubesch confident ahead of Wales: "Cards clearly distributed"
Horst Hrubesch is confident ahead of the German national team's final Nations League group match this evening.
"On the whole, I think the cards are clearly dealt here," said the 72-year-old interim national team coach ahead of the clash with outsiders Wales. "Our goal is to win the game, and of course to win as high as possible," added FC Bayern attacker Klara Bühl (22).
The DFB team can take another step towards qualifying for the Olympics. Interim national coach Horst Hrubesch's team go into their final Nations League preliminary round match in Swansea as leaders of Group 3. A win against the bottom-placed team will secure qualification for the final round. The first leg ended 5:1 for the European runners-up.
Chance of an Olympic ticket
With the 3-0 win against Denmark last Friday in Rostock, the German team had achieved a very important success - and thus laid the foundation for having the necessary group win in their own hands before the last match day. At the final tournament with four teams in February, two European teams can still win the Olympic ticket. France are seeded as hosts.
"We want to confirm our performance, because otherwise the 3-0 win against Denmark would have meant nothing," said TSG Hoffenheim left-back Sarai Linder (24), who has been strong of late: "We just want to take the joy with us now." Bühl announced that they would "go in with the same attitude as on Friday evening".
Warning from Hrubesch
Hrubesch did, however, issue a small warning: "The last step is always the hardest," he warned. Wales, who have no points, are a team "who are in a worse position than they are at the moment, they can play soccer if you let them." Between 6,000 and 7,000 spectators are expected at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea.
Hrubesch did not want to reveal who will replace the suspended defensive boss Marina Hegering (33). Central defenders Sara Doorsoun (32) and Sophia Kleinherne (23), who are both under contract with Eintracht Frankfurt, are considered candidates. "There will certainly be one or two changes," announced Hrubesch.
The 1980 European champion would like to face the French team in the semi-finals. That would give his team "a second chance" to qualify for the Olympics. As hosts, the French have already qualified for Paris 2024. If they make it to the Nations League final, a win in the match for third place will be enough for the other teams to qualify for the Olympics.
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- Klara Bühl, a prolific attacker from FC Bayern, shares Horst Hrubesch's confidence ahead of the German national team's Women's soccer match against Wales in the Nations League.
- The German team, currently leading Group 3 in the Nations League, has a chance to secure qualification for the final round with a win against bottom-placed Wales.
- Horst Hrubesch is cautious, however, warning that the final step is always the hardest, and Wales, with no points, can play soccer if given the opportunity.
- A win against Wales will not only secure qualification for the German team but also increase their chances of qualifying for the Olympics.
- With their 3-0 win against Denmark in the previous match, the German team has taken a significant step towards achieving the necessary group win before the last match day.
- The German national team, aiming to win as high as possible, can also look towards the UEFA Women's Euro 2022, hosted by England, as another opportunity to qualify for the Olympics.
- Discussing the potential opponents in the final tournament, Horst Hrubesch expressed a desire to face the French team in the semi-finals, which would provide a "second chance" to qualify for the Olympics.
- The upcoming match against Wales will be broadcast on television and media outlets, allowing fans across Europe and Great Britain to follow the action.
- Horst Hrubesch will likely make one or two changes to the team due to the suspension of defensive boss Marina Hegering, with central defenders Sara Doorsoun and Sophia Kleinherne being considered potential replacements.
Source: www.stern.de
