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Nehru Cup: We Could Have Won 4-0 - Syria Coach
Syria coach Fajer Ibrahim felt that luck wasn’t on their side as they went down to India in the penalty shootout on Monday evening at the Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi...
01-Sep-2009 1:21:09 AM
The West Asians hadn’t conceded throughout the tournament
but it was a Renedy Singh free-kick which breached their defence. Ali Dyeb
saved the game temporarily for the Syrians by taking the match into the
penalties. However in the end, the hosts emerged victorious.
“I think India were lucky today as we squandered a lot of chances. We could have easily won the game by four goals. I would say that luck deserted us,” said Ibrahim.
The Syrian coach was seen arguing with the linesman and the fourth official on numerous occasions and when asked to comment on the match officials, he preferred to be diplomatically correct.
“I won’t comment on the refereeing. Football is a contact sport and you don’t give a free-kick by touching a player,” said Ibrahim referring to the incident from which Renedy scored after Bhaichung was fouled by a Syrian defender.
“All of my players practiced penalties yesterday. The ones who missed actually scored many times in training. It’s unfortunate that they couldn’t do it.
“Because India scored late, I couldn’t change my keeper for the shootout. The Indian goalkeeper was awesome. He made three saves which is very difficult.”
Ibrahim added that he didn’t see much improvement in the Indian side but added that qualification for the Asian Cup is definitely a good thing for them.
“We were the better side. I didn’t see much improvement from them (India). It’s good that they have qualified for Asian Cup. It’s good for them.”
A report quoted the Syrian coach stating the he could even against Indian with merely seven players on the field.
“I said that as a joke,” he clarified.
Amoy Ghoshal.
“I think India were lucky today as we squandered a lot of chances. We could have easily won the game by four goals. I would say that luck deserted us,” said Ibrahim.
The Syrian coach was seen arguing with the linesman and the fourth official on numerous occasions and when asked to comment on the match officials, he preferred to be diplomatically correct.
“I won’t comment on the refereeing. Football is a contact sport and you don’t give a free-kick by touching a player,” said Ibrahim referring to the incident from which Renedy scored after Bhaichung was fouled by a Syrian defender.
“All of my players practiced penalties yesterday. The ones who missed actually scored many times in training. It’s unfortunate that they couldn’t do it.
“Because India scored late, I couldn’t change my keeper for the shootout. The Indian goalkeeper was awesome. He made three saves which is very difficult.”
Ibrahim added that he didn’t see much improvement in the Indian side but added that qualification for the Asian Cup is definitely a good thing for them.
“We were the better side. I didn’t see much improvement from them (India). It’s good that they have qualified for Asian Cup. It’s good for them.”
A report quoted the Syrian coach stating the he could even against Indian with merely seven players on the field.
“I said that as a joke,” he clarified.
Amoy Ghoshal.
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