"We do not know the quality of your (Mizoram) team, but we do know that Bundesliga club Hoffenheim only scored three goals against you. So, we will be making every possible effort to defeat you. We will not play to lose." – Marcus.
A press conference was held today, the 5th of January, 2016 at Hotel Regency by the German Students Football Team. Conducted by Lalnghinglova Hmar, Honorary Secretary of Mizoram Football Association, the panel consisted of Lutz Hermann Hangartner, Head of Delegation of German Students National Football Team, Marcus Jung, Head Coach, Steffen Wolhfarth and Arunava Chaudhuri, Technical Advisor.
Of the scouting and selection process, Lutz said that the players have been selected from the University Championship tournament conducted annually. He further shared that though the players love football, they are realistic in their approach of the sport. They realize that their career as professional footballers could be easily hampered by injuries and such. So they have decided to pursue higher education while playing professionally or semi-professionally. He further said that several players had appeared in national teams at Under 15, Under 18 and Under 20 levels and are not to be underestimated because of their academic pursuits.
When questioned about the formation they will be using for the match, the Head Coach Marcus refused to divulge the information as it could diminish their chances of winning. He also asserted that they are here to win, but they will also try to enjoy the game and have a good time. Having watched the match between Mizoram team and Hoffenheim, he believes that though the Mizo players are not very physical, they are quick, tactical and technical. He mentioned that they will indeed attack but with caution as they could very well concede a goal. Forward Steffen Wolhfarth also said that he will definitely try to score, and that the team would hate to lose wearing their national team jersey.
The current world champions, Lutz Hermann expressed how Germany attempted to revive national football after their disastrous exit from 2000 Euro when they finished at the bottom of their group. The Deutscher Fußball-Bund (German Football Association) make several changes in their football system. One of the most promising feature of their system is the requirement of each Top-League Clubs and 2nd Division clubs to implement a Youth Academy. Their scouting and training of young talents is believed to be responsible for their recent successes.
He also mentioned that sports and education go hand in hand in Germany. A Science Congress is organized annually by the DFB to ensure that Science is employed to develop the skills and techniques of footballers and the coaches. This has also proved to be very beneficial.
The panelists also talked about their excitement in coming to Mizoram as they had heard about it after the match that took place between 1899 Hoffenheim and Mizoram XI. Seemingly, the Hoffenheim players had enjoyed their stay and match in Mizoram.