Denmark here to win cup, says Hjulmand
DOHA: Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand said yesterday that his team have come to Qatar to win the World Cup as they prepare for their Group D opener against Tunisia.
The Danes reached the semi-finals of the European Championship last year despite losing their opening game after talisman Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch with a cardiac arrest.
They come into the tournament on the back of a strong qualifying campaign and two Nations League wins over group rivals France.
“Our dream is to win something. So when you go into a tournament this group of players has the quality to win, and I mean to win everything,” said Hjulmand ahead of today’s clash at Education City Stadium.
The Danes will likely be tussling for first place with world champions France, as the runners-up will almost certainly be playing Argentina in the second round.
And Hjulmand, whose team also face Australia in the group stage, was bullish about his team’s chances with Eriksen firmly back in the fold and in top form.
“Are we favourites? No... but we can beat everyone on the day and we have a very strong self-confidence,” said Hjulmand.
“We have a very good group of players working together and the best way of winning everything is to dream big.”
Meanwhile, Tunisia’s last five World Cup finals appearances have all ended in first round exits but there is a real
belief they can end that disappointing run in Qatar.
Coach Jalel Kadri concedes the weight of past failures hangs heavy over his side, but there is hope they can get off to a positive start against the Danes and build momentum in a difficult pool that also contains France and Australia.
“Our group will not be easy, the draw has not been kind,” he told reporters yesterday.
“Denmark is among the best squads in Europe. We know they have high quality in every department.
“But we will give our all. We have our strengths, but we also know our weaknesses. We are aware we will be compared to past Tunisia squads.”
Former national team assistant Kadri took over as head coach after a quarterfinal exit for the team at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon in February, and immediately led the side to World Cup qualification, losing one of his eight games in charge, a 5-1 reversal at the hands of Brazil.
“In terms of performance, we feel good, we are calm and happy with the results we have achieved. We are representing all Arab nations and we deserve to be here,” he said.
Tunisia have two players in the Danish league, Anis Ben Slimane at Brondby and Issam Jebali with Odense.
The latter said he has not been able to provide any special insight into today’s opponents as the Tunisian technical team have been meticulous in their planning.