Kovacs: Playing in the number 10 shirt did not cause me any problems

Istvan Kovacs was part of the Hungarian side that shared a 1-1 friendly draw with the Czech Republic on Wednesday evening.

- What was is like to make your first appearance in the starting line-up for Hungary?

I was delighted to find out that Sandor Egervari wanted to pick me. Sadly I did not play the way I wanted to in the first half, as we had planned to. We also tried to hit high balls forward, which the opponents defence dealt with. I watched the second half from the bench, but I felt we played well and we managed to equalise.

- When did you find out that you would be in the team?

We were practicing similar routines from Monday's training session onwards, and I also had a talk with the manager, who told me that I would be starting. I hope that I will be called up in the future by the national team manager, and even as a substitute or as a starter; I can get the chance to play on the pitch.

- Were you nervous before the match?

There were some nerves inside me, but I felt very good out on the pitch, so once I was playing, I was not nervous. Sandor Egervari told me before the match that I should play with confidence, as I usually do with Videoton, or as I had done earlier for the young Hungarian sides.

- How would you sum up your performance in the 45 minutes you played?

I feel that I was not able to give too much towards the team's game. The high balls towards me did not really find me. This is a building stage at the moment for me, and I hope that next time they will once again count on me, and then I can help the team with a better performance. 

- You played in the number 10 shirt against the Czech Republic. Did it not scare you when you put the shirt on?

Not at all, as I had earlier worn it at both Haladas and when I played for the youth international side. I only got the shirt because Zoltan Gera was not in the squad, but I will have to work a lot before I can get to put it on regularly. 

Author: David Rechnitzer

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