Somewhere between exhaustion, disappointment and happiness: it was a mixed emotion that none of the Germany players could quite describe following their 3-3 draw against South Korea in their second Group C encounter. Horst Hrubesch’s side went behind, equalised, took the lead temporarily and then conceded twice before finally dragging themselves back to level terms in the last minute. It was a real emotional rollercoaster for the Germany team at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador.
“It was crazy and something you can’t really explain,” said goalkeeper Timo Horn: “We didn’t start well but we played some good football after the equaliser. We were the better team and took a deserved lead. The fact that we let it slip is annoying. Luckily, we managed to save a point for ourselves right at the end.” Serge Gnabry’s added time winner increased Germany’s chances of qualifying, as loss would have meant that qualification would no longer be in their own hands.
“I’m obviously happy that I was able to help the team with both of my goals,” said Gnabry. “We wanted to win the match but South Korea were a strong opponent. "We showed character and fought hard,” said the 20-year-old who has scored three goals in Germany’s two games so far.
Selke: “It’s in our hands”
Davie Selke, who temporarily put Germany into the ascendancy at 2-1, is already focusing on the third match against Fiji: “It’s in our hands. We have to win big in the next game to guarantee ourselves a place in the quarterfinals. It will definitely not be easy,” Germany will have to win by a five goal margin to guarantee themselves a place in the knockout rounds. Mexico beat Fiji 5-1 in the other match and are now equal with South Korea on four points. Hrubesch’s team sit third in Group C after picking up two points in their opening games.
Horst Hrubesch gathered the players and the backroom staff yesterday evening to motivate them ahead of the final group game: “We have a good chance and believe in ourselves. We are making it to the quarterfinals,” said the 65-year-old. The next match against Fiji will take place on Wednesday (21:00 CEST) in Belo Horizonte. The team will have a recovery session in Salvador today, before flying to Belo Horizonte at 13:00 CEST.
Somewhere between exhaustion, disappointment and happiness: it was a mixed emotion that none of the Germany players could quite describe following their 3-3 draw against South Korea in their second Group C encounter. Horst Hrubesch’s side went behind, equalised, took the lead temporarily and then conceded twice before finally dragging themselves back to level terms in the last minute. It was a real emotional rollercoaster for the Germany team at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador.
“It was crazy and something you can’t really explain,” said goalkeeper Timo Horn: “We didn’t start well but we played some good football after the equaliser. We were the better team and took a deserved lead. The fact that we let it slip is annoying. Luckily, we managed to save a point for ourselves right at the end.” Serge Gnabry’s added time winner increased Germany’s chances of qualifying, as loss would have meant that qualification would no longer be in their own hands.
“I’m obviously happy that I was able to help the team with both of my goals,” said Gnabry. “We wanted to win the match but South Korea were a strong opponent. "We showed character and fought hard,” said the 20-year-old who has scored three goals in Germany’s two games so far.
Selke: “It’s in our hands”
Davie Selke, who temporarily put Germany into the ascendancy at 2-1, is already focusing on the third match against Fiji: “It’s in our hands. We have to win big in the next game to guarantee ourselves a place in the quarterfinals. It will definitely not be easy,” Germany will have to win by a five goal margin to guarantee themselves a place in the knockout rounds. Mexico beat Fiji 5-1 in the other match and are now equal with South Korea on four points. Hrubesch’s team sit third in Group C after picking up two points in their opening games.
Horst Hrubesch gathered the players and the backroom staff yesterday evening to motivate them ahead of the final group game: “We have a good chance and believe in ourselves. We are making it to the quarterfinals,” said the 65-year-old. The next match against Fiji will take place on Wednesday (21:00 CEST) in Belo Horizonte. The team will have a recovery session in Salvador today, before flying to Belo Horizonte at 13:00 CEST.
