FRANCE 98 – MatchQuotes

Match Number 44 USA – YUG Quotes

Steve SAMPSON:

“We have shown that we can play against the best teams, but that it is difficult to win. We have to be more precise when trying to score. We played a very good second half against GERMANY and a very good game against IRAN. Tonight, we just didn’t manage to transform opportunities into goals. As far as my future career is concerned, it’s in the hands of the President of the Federation, the rest is only rumours. I’m very proud of my players and I believe I can still help this team a lot.”

Dragan STOJKOVIC, captain (10):

“We won difficultly, as the USA posed us a lot of problems. We were right not to have under-estimated them. Personally, I was hit a lot of times this evening, I’m aching all over. Now the most important thing is to prepare ourselves physically and psychologically for the second round match against HOLLAND. The number of our players who are injured could create problems for us. We’ll have to put our trust in God now to heal them.”

Vladimir JUGOVIC (7):

“It was a tough game, as the USA wanted to go home with some points. For us, the most important thing was to score goals – particularly as we didn’t know what was happening in the GERMANY match The absence of a few players who were out injured went against us; we were missing two attackers tonight. For the moment tonight’s match is all that’s on my mind, I don’t want to think about the next meeting yet. Personally, HOLLAND doesn’t phase me – they’ve drawn twice where we’ve won twice; so what is there to be afraid of?”

Perica OGNJENOVIC (21):

“It was a difficult match. We knew that GERMANY was leading 2-0 against IRAN, and I must admit that this really disrupted us. We didn’t develop a game of our usual standard, but the most important thing is that we’re going into the second round. The game against HOLLAND will be more difficult, and we’ll have to run more than we did today. I believe we haven’t seen the last of HOLLAND. Even though I hurt my eye this evening, I’ll be a hundred percent fit when we play them.”

Ivica KRALJ (1):

“

We lacked motivation tonight, but we managed to win which was all that really mattered. I think we can beat HOLLAND who are among the three best teams in the World Cup. Our advantage, as we proved against GERMANY, is that we play a much better game against tough opponents.”

Slobodan SANTRAC:

“The injury of a player like MIJATOVIC (9) upsets our strategy. He played a solid game but he was unable to play to his best. I wouldn’t say we were surprised by USA’s game. We were expecting that game plan. We knew they had some weaknesses and we were hoping to capitalise on these weaknesses. It was a difficult and physical match, which explains why we found it hard to develop our game. The USA didn’t deserve to lose their three matches. I’m not thinking about the next round yet, but I’m sure that it will be a confrontation between two great football countries. I’ve seen a number of matches and I’ve been particularly impressed by FRANCE and BRAZIL, but I’m sure that the range of potential championship winners will broaden as we go along.”

Thomas DOOLEY, captain (5):

“We played a good game and we showed we can play good football. Tonight, we deserved to draw. The USA team leaves the World Cup heads held high. We have shown too much respect for other teams throughout the competitiion. We should have attacked more from the start. As for our inability to score, luck wasn’t on our side – four of our shots hit the posts, on another day they would have gone in.”

Marcelo BALBOA (17):

“Once again, as after the games against GERMANY and IRAN, I’m happy with the game we played; but obviously I’m disappointed with the result. We haven’t played the role we should have played in this championship. But I think people in the USA have shown a lot of interest in soccer and the World Cup. The future of soccer in the USA is looking strong.”

David REGIS (6):

“We played without pressure and it nearly worked. We attacked more than YUGOSLAVIA. Unfortunately, they took advantage of our lack of concentration and scored an early goal. I won’t draw personal conclusions even if I’m happy with the game I played in defence, replacing POPE (3) who was injured. I hadn’t had much time to play with my team-mates. We should play better together in the future as I hope to be in the USA Olympic team.”

Cobi JONES (13):

“Once more, our efforts didn’t pay off in this match. YUGOSLAVIA scored an early goal but we weren’t realistic enough with our goal-scoring opportunities. I personally think I played well in this World Cup and I will certainly do my best to play the 2002 World Cup in JAPAN. I’d like to make a career in Europe. I’ve already played for Coventry (ENGLAND) and I’m currently having discussions with three German clubs.”