DFB.de: After the break, Germany were clearly the better side.
Kayikci: We wanted to win at all costs and tried everything. Mandy, Sara Doorsoun and I all had chances. Then, Dzseni (Dzsenifer Marozsan) hit the bar and Anja missed the target with the rebound – I was sure she’d score. However, it just wasn’t to be.
DFB.de: You meet England in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, what’s the goal?
Kayikci: We obviously want to win and make the most of the chances we create. Also, we want to make sure we put in the yards and approach the game with a lot of passion. We can build on the game against France.
DFB.de: What do you make of England?
Kayikci: In comparison to our other opponents until now, England are probably the toughest. The Americans were very quick and athletic, France very technical and England’s fighting spirit is what stands out. England won yesterday against the USA, we were partly able to follow the game live. There’s a lot of quality in the tournament, anyone can beat anyone. Therefore, it’s a good test with the Euros in mind.
The Germany Woman’s national team put in a convincing performance in their second game at the sheBelieves Cup in the USA, when they drew 0-0 with France. However, despite playing well and having a number of goal-scoring chances, Steffi Jones’ team missed out on the chance to claim their first win of the tournament.
Hasret Kayikci was a new addition to the starting XI against France and she impressed. In this interview with DFB.de, the 25 year old speaks about her performance, the penalty, and the upcoming game against England (Tuesday, 22:00 CET).
DFB.de: Ms. Kayicki, when did you find out you’d be in the starting XI?
Hasret Kayikci: Steffi Jones told the team on the first day that she wanted to give us all a chance to play from the start at the SheBelieves Cup and show what we can do. When I got my opportunity against France I was obviously very happy.
DFB.de: In September 2016 in Hungary you made your debut. Yesterday, you played your second game against France, how did you feel before kick-off?
Kayikci: At the start I was of course nervous in a positive way. For me, it’s not a given that I’d be able to play from the start. On the pitch I was then fully focused – you completely blank out the excitement. Playing with this team and in that big stadium was a lot of fun.
DFB.de: You had the best chance of the first half from the penalty spot.
Kayikci: Everyone played their part. Mandy Islacker made the pass through the middle and I then ran through and was in front of the goalkeeper with the ball. It’s a shame we didn’t go into the lead then. At the start, not everything worked out but I think that was also because it was the first time we had played with that starting XI. We improved as the game went on.
DFB.de: After the break, Germany were clearly the better side.
Kayikci: We wanted to win at all costs and tried everything. Mandy, Sara Doorsoun and I all had chances. Then, Dzseni (Dzsenifer Marozsan) hit the bar and Anja missed the target with the rebound – I was sure she’d score. However, it just wasn’t to be.
DFB.de: You meet England in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, what’s the goal?
Kayikci: We obviously want to win and make the most of the chances we create. Also, we want to make sure we put in the yards and approach the game with a lot of passion. We can build on the game against France.
DFB.de: What do you make of England?
Kayikci: In comparison to our other opponents until now, England are probably the toughest. The Americans were very quick and athletic, France very technical and England’s fighting spirit is what stands out. England won yesterday against the USA, we were partly able to follow the game live. There’s a lot of quality in the tournament, anyone can beat anyone. Therefore, it’s a good test with the Euros in mind.
