Danish defender speaks ahead Denmark v Australia
- Zanka previews Denmark’s second game of the tournament
- Danish international on a dream come true having featured at the World Cup
- Defender looking forward to facing Town teammate Aaron Mooy
Mathias Zanka could face Huddersfield Town teammate Aaron Mooy when his Denmark side faces Australia in Thursday’s World Cup 2018 Group C clash.
The defender – who featured in every Premier League game for David Wagner’s side last season - told htafc.com that he’s enjoying his time out in Russia and has been gripped by World Cup ‘fever’ as he explained:
“It’s a lot of travelling going around from the base camp to different cities. The weather is most of the time 24 to 28 degrees, it feels like the summer and I’m experiencing it for the first time, but it’s everything I expected from being at a World Cup.
“When you see videos from back home after we won, seeing the crowds at various big screen events out in Copenhagen and around Denmark, seeing how the fever has hit everyone in Denmark and seeing them just enjoying being a Dane”
Zanka made his first ever appearance at a World Cup when he came on as a second-half substitute during Denmark’s 1-0 win against Peru in their opening game.
“That was really special” admitted Zanka.
“You grow up and watch the World Cup and you feel like that was the dream, and my dream came true to play my first match and I loved every bit of it”
“That win was big because we weren’t at our best, but we came away with a really crucial win. That really sets you up great in the tournament and the group stages, especially playing Australia tomorrow as we’ll be looking to extend that.”
Both Zanka and fellow Denmark & Huddersfield Town teammate Jonas Lössl could face Aaron Mooy when the two sides go head-to-head in Thursday’s game in Samara.
Zanka explained his thoughts ahead of potentially facing Mooy whilst reflecting on his side’s expectations for the rest of the tournament.
“I know Jonas has sent a text to Aaron to try and get in his head” joked Zanka.
“It’s going to be fun for us to see Aaron tomorrow and wish him luck for the game. Hopefully, of course, we go out victorious.
“I didn’t get to see their first game as we were training at the time, but I read that he played well and Australia did really well against one of the favourites.
“If we want to meet our expectations, which are to go through the group stages, then we need to beat Australia. I believe we should be able to do that, but we know there are no easy games – especially against a tough and hardworking Australian side with Aaron spearheading that.
“It’s going to be tough for us to get the win but I’m confident that we can.”
