ACTUALITE |
03.07.2005
Siasia `proud` despite defeat
Nigeria coach Samson Siasia has told BBC Sport that he could not have been prouder of his team despite their 2-1 defeat to Argentina in Saturday`s final of the World Youth Championship.
The Flying Eagles coach said the South Americans were not better than his team but "they won because they were smart enough to win penalties."
Siasia, who played for Nigeria in this competition in 1985, said he could not fault the commitment of his boys throughout the tournament.
Instead, the 38-year-old former international lashed out at Argentina`s tactics during the game played before a sell-out crowd of 25,000 in the Dutch city of Utrecht.
"My boys have done well and if our FA is smart enough, they should work towards making them the future national team.
"We had our chances but couldn`t finish them. The Argentines didn`t create half as many chances as we did but they`re very smart when it comes to falling and getting penalties."
Lionel Messi converted two penalties - one in each half - to carry Argentina to their third World Youth title in the past four years and fifth overall.
After 53 minutes, the Flying Eagles hauled themselves right back into the match when Chinedu Okbuke found the target with a superb diving header.
Siasia blamed referee Terje Hauge for the defeat, accusing the Norwegian of giving "cheap penalties".
But he also blamed his defenders for getting into such risky incidents when "there was no direct threat" on goal.
He said: "If you play in the final like this, you don`t give up penalties like that.
"But I`m very proud of my players and I wouldn`t trade them for anybody else. They`re disciplined and hard-working, they never gave up."
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Hits: 1 | Source:BBC | |
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