Goeßling: "Our aim is to top the group"

Germany drew their second Women’s World Cup group match on Thursday against Norway. Anja Mittag had put them in front but Maren Mjelde (61’) equalised. Ahead of Monday’s final group game, against Thailand, DFB.de spoke to Lena Goeßling.

DFB.de: What are your thoughts on the Norway game?

Lena Goeßling: The first half was good but we can’t be happy with just 45 minutes of good play. We now know what we need to improve. For example, we need to be more clinical in order to get a better result. We need to press for the entire game.

DFB.de: Seven million people watched the game in Germany. Have you had a lot of attention in Canada?

Goeßling: Yes! We’re getting a lot of coverage here for sure. A number of German journalists have come with us. It’s great to hear that so many people are watching us at home. It’s great for women’s football. The attention is nice.

DFB.de: Are you watching the other games?

Goeßling: We’re keeping up-to-date with them thanks to Canadian TV coverage. We watch a lot of the games as a team, but I have also watched some in my room.

DFB.de: What is your impression of the tournament so far? Has it surprise you?

Goeßling: There have been a few surprises. We didn’t expect Colombia to beat France on Saturday, for example. It was a great game and one that shows that the gulf in class isn’t that big any more. No opponents can be underestimated.

DFB.de: Now you face Thailand…

Goeßling: We will take the game seriously. Thailand have a lot of small, dynamic players. They beat the Ivory Coast. We are going into the game fully motivated. Our aim is to win the group. We won’t take our foot off the gas.