Want to achieve what Switzerland has actually never achieved

• It was likewise a bit of nervousness
• Our advancement is no coincidence
• It is clear: we have dreams

Sebastian Wolff reports from Qatar

Grant Dhaka makes obvious of Switzerland's aspirations. We desire to accomplish something here that Switzerland has never ever accomplished at a World Cup.

It was likewise a bit of nervousness

On Monday in Doha against the record world champion. Brazil is not simply the favorite for me at this tournament, says Dhaka. In 2018 at the World Cup in Russia there was a 1: 1 in the group phase, a repeating would offer a cheap starting point before the decisive and likewise extremely explosive group game versus Serbia.

All understands that success against the supposed outsider Cameroon was compulsory in the demanding group G. And has inhibited at least in the very first 45 minutes. We made simple mistakes, there was likewise a little nervousness, confesses Dhaka, however that's practically normal for a first game.

Our advancement is no coincidence

Simply existing is no longer enough for Switzerland. Our development, says Dhaka, is no coincidence. We are always at the big competitions, have always reached the knockout round. At the World Championships in Brazil and Russia, the round of 16 was completion of completion, at the newest European Champion only in the quarter-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout versus Spain. That, states the 30-year-old Toolbox specialist, speaks for training in our country.

He sees the existing squad at the climax and ripe for another, if possible even for the exclamation mark: We have a fantastic team. The mix is right due to the fact that we have young, starving gamers, but likewise enough experienced players who play in major leagues. He earns his money in the Premier League.

It is clear: we have dreams

The dish for the coming days is still unwillingness: We do not want to talk a lot about what we wish to attain, says Dhaka, and yet shows that it needs to be big: Obviously: We have dreams.

Brazil is not just the preferred for me at this competition, says Dhaka. In 2018 at the World Cup in Russia there was a 1: 1 in the group stage, a repeating would give an inexpensive beginning point before the decisive and likewise extremely explosive group game versus Serbia.

Our advancement, says Dhaka, is no coincidence. At the World Championships in Brazil and Russia, the round of 16 was the end of the end, at the most current European Champion just in the quarter-finals after a significant penalty shootout versus Spain.