FRANCE 98 – MatchQuotes
Match Number 16 ENG – TUN Quotes Henry KASPERCZAK, TUNISIA coach:
“We tried to equalise but we missed too many chances. The second goal finished us off.
I think TUNISIA got involved in the running of the game and imposed themselves well physically. If we lost today, it’s because the English distribution of the ball was better.
Qualification is still a possibility. We will continue to play to achieve that.
ENGLAND have some very good midfield players who link up well with the forward line.
They are also very dangerous from set-pieces.”
Match no.16: ENGLAND-TUNISIA (Group G), Statement from Henry KASPERCZAK, TUNISIA Coach.
Alan SHEARER (9), Captain:
“ENGLAND put on a very good performance today, but it was the result that was more important than that. We can now spend the next few days in a more relaxed frame of mind. After scoring my goal I was obviously delighted.
Regarding Paul SCHOLES’s (16) goal, he had some chances in the 1st half which were hard to convert, so I was pleased that he managed to get a goal in the 2nd half. If Paul had something to prove he did it today.
As for TUNISIA, They were remarkable in the first fifteen minutes of the 2nd half when they tried to put us under a lot of pressure, but we reacted well.”
Paul SCHOLES (16):
“It’s fantastic to be here. I was a bit nervous, but I didn’t let it get to me when I missed a few chances in the 1st half. I knew that this could be my day.
I’ll keep working to hold on to my place in the team. I try to do the job the best I can. I’m obviously very happy to have scored. It was one of my best games for ENGLAND. It’s one of the highlights of my career.
We knew we had to be very organised and we played well. We have to stay realistic, this is only the first game, there is a long way to go.”
Darren ANDERTON (14):
” We played against a very difficult team. I’m very pleased with the result and to have played right from the start. Everyone wants to play in the World Cup. It’s great to be part of it.”
Tony ADAMS (5):
“It’s great to have the three points. The atmosphere inside the stadium was amazing. We’ve got past the first hurdle. We’ve started better than we did in EURO 96, where we drew with Switzerland in the opening match at Wembley.”
“I was delighted with the start made by the team, it was a very good performance. It was important to win. We could have scored more, but we won the game.
Alan SHEARER’s (9) reputation goes before him. He had a limited number of chances, but he managed to score and that’s what a world class player can do. Paul SCHOLES (16) is a young man playing his natural game – it’s nice to see.
Any team has to attack from the back and defend from the front. All the so-called favourites have difficulties against this type of team. They had limited chances, and we created some – it’s pleasing for a coach.
The Tunisians gave 100% which is all you can ask for as a coach. We played better than them on the day but, on any given day, any side can cause an upset. I’m delighted it didn’t happen today.
I’m not here to discuss who played and who didn’t. I’m pleased with Darren ANDERTON’s (14) performance. The final result was that we played well and won.
We will follow the ROMANIA vs. COLOMBIA (Group G) game, 17h30 on Monday 15 June in LYON with close attention and prepare for the next game afterwards. It will be tough, like all the games in the World Cup.”
