HUNGARY WOMEN READY FOR CYPRUS CUP

Hungary’s women have participated in the Cyprus Cup the last two years running, and have once again received an invitation to the prestigious international tournament in which 12 teams are competing. Hungary’s group opponents are a strong looking North Korea team, as well South Africa and Slovakia, with a possible positional play-off match to come afterwards.

The tournament is serving as a warm-up for the World Cup qualifiers, with Hungary due to take on Sweden in Szombathely on 5 April, and then Croatia in Zadar four days later.

Head coach Edina Markó is still without the injured Dóra Zeller, albeit the rest of the key squad members are available. A number of young players have been called up alongside the more experienced squad members, such as Lilla Turányi, Anna Csiki, Diána Csányi, and Boglárka Horti who could celebrate her first cap in Cyprus after recovering from a long-term injury.

“Similarly to the last two years we’re facing tough opposition at the beginning of the year before our first competitive matches”, said head coach Edina Markó. “Our first opponents stand out among them as the North Koreans are among the very best, and only stepped in at the last minute when another team pulled out. We’ll be taking to the field the day after arriving and I’m curious as to how we can perform against a really strong team. The opening match is also important as the North Koreans represent a similar standard to our World Cup qualifying opponents Spain. Our second and third opponents – South Africa and Slovakia – are closer to our level; I’m sure that the games against them will be competitive and tight affairs. Should we do well, we’ll have a chance of taking on another strong team in the play-off match”, she added.

Match schedule

28 February Hungary – North Korea, Paralimni, 17:00 CET

2 March South Africa – Hungary, Paralimni, 17:00 CET

5 March Hungary – Slovakia, Paralimni, 17:00 CET

Hungary squad

Goalkeepers

Réka Szőcs (MTK Hungária FC) Barbara Bíró (Szombathelyi Swietelsky-Haladás Viktória FC) Anna Samu (Ferencvárosi TC)

Defenders

Szilvia Szeitl (Ferencvárosi TC) Szabina Tálosi (Szombathelyi Swietelsky-Haladás Viktória FC) Viktória Szabó (Ferencvárosi TC) Lilla Turányi (MTK Hungária FC) Evelin Mosdóczi (Ferencvárosi TC) Dóra Papp (MTK Hungária FC) Alexandra Tóth (Szombathelyi Swietelsky-Haladás Viktória FC) Boglárka Horti (Kóka FNLA) Anita Pinczi (MTK Hungária FC)

Midfielders

Diána Csányi (MTK Hungária FC) Evelin Fenyvesi (Ferencvárosi TC) Henrietta Csiszár (FC Bayer 04 Leverkusen) Anna Csiki (Ferencvárosi TC) Zoé Magyarics (FC Südburgenland) Petra Kocsán (Ferencvárosi TC) Zsófia Rácz (PSV Eindhoven)

Forwards

Bernadett Zágor (SKN St. Pölten) Fanni Vágó (SKN St. Pölten) Loretta Németh (Apollon Ladies FC) Zsanett Jakabfi (VfL Wolfsburg