have made a great start to the , taking maximum points from their first two games. Having opened their tournament with a resounding , Julian Nagelsmann’s team then came from behind against , securing top spot in the group with a game to spare and confirming their progress to the round of 32.
Striker Deniz Undav has in this promising start, scoring three goals and contributing two assists after being introduced from the bench in both games. The VfB Stuttgart attacker produced a brilliant performance in the second game to bag a brace against the Elephants - including the injury-time winner - and was named Superior Player of the Match. It is hardly surprising that such exploits are celebrated in Germany, but Undav is now attracting the attention of football fans around the world.
However, that was not always the case. Undav, who now has a good chance of starting the final group match against Ecuador, sat down with FIFA to chat about his early years in football and how he has performed so far at this World Cup.
Deniz Undav: It was very hard, but I have to admit that it was a lot of fun, as I experienced many aspects of life. It didn’t feel bad at the time, as I was really enjoying my life as well. But yes, I was getting up at 4 am, to take a 40-minute bus ride and then walk for another 40 minutes to the industrial estate, before heading back the same way at 14:30 after training. After having something to eat, it was a case of packing my bags again and heading to training. I was getting home around 21:30, and that was my routine for two years.
Football has always been my life. I have always played football and just wanted to continue as it was so much fun. At some point, I decided to stick with it: then there was no going back and I just wanted to carry on playing football. But that period was not as exhausting as it sounds. In retrospect, it was really tough but you have that energy when you are a young adult. I was just really enjoying my football.
I didn't believe it, in fact it wasn’t even in my dreams. I just wanted to carry on playing at this level for another 14 or 15 years. I wasn’t thinking in terms of moving up the leagues, but perhaps to a team that pays a bit more. I thought I would stick with my job and earn my money, but then I moved to Braunschweig. I got injured, but I carried on and at some point I thought I should be playing in the first team, as I was scoring loads of goals for the reserves. But in football, it is rare for young players to be trusted when the going gets tough. The call from Meppen represented the next step for me, meaning that could give up my day job and just stay in the 3. Liga.
It is like a dream. I have always scored goals, but never on this stage. Everyone’s been talking about me since that game against Côte d’Ivoire. I hadn’t expected that, as I have often been overlooked in the past. I’ve never been one of the big names, but I am enjoying it and will try to maintain my level of performance.
To be honest, it’s normal for me. It’s just something I can do. There are no situations where I have to stop and think. I understand football really well and I can anticipate specific situations more quickly than my opponents. I was born to score goals.
The games to come will be just as close as that one against Côte d’Ivoire, and we will need every member of the squad. Our preparations have been good for both games so far. Regardless of who you are playing against, there are phases in every match that you just have to get through, and we have managed that very well on both occasions. We have to stay positive and believe in ourselves - which is what we are doing. Every player simply has to give 100 percent, at least then we know we gave our all. But I am confident that we can go a long way.
As a player, it is no secret that you want to be involved from the start in every match. However, it’s working really well at the moment and I have proved that I can score goals and that I belong here. I have also scored when playing from the start. Luckily, I can do it both ways and right now it clicks as soon as I’m on the pitch.
Sources: FIFA Official
