FRANCE 98 – MatchQuotes

Match Number 61 BRA – HOL Quotes

Frank DE BOER (4), captain:

“We were so close to the final, especially at the penalty shoot out stage. We certainly should have scored before the end because the Brazilians were tired, but we lost the ball too often. We lacked realism. The Brazilians still remain dangerous and we learnt that the hard way.”

Ronald DE BOER (7):

“After equalising, I truly believed in our victory, but we weren’t powerful enough during extra time. I didn’t really see it but apparently there was a fault on Pierre VAN HOOIJDONK (17). It’s a shame because BRAZIL was within our reach. I’m really disappointed. As for the penalties, I started off well but I think I kicked too quickly, because I’d seen that he was diving to the right side. At this particular moment, I don’t have the motivation to play for third place.”

Marc OVERMARS (14):

“There was no question that I would play today. Being on the substitutes’ bench during the semi-final is very stressful. We always feel that we could make a difference. The two teams were very close. We had more opportunities than BRAZIL. I feel very bitter.”

Patrick KLUIVERT (9):

“After equalising, we should have scored again because we could feel that BRAZIL’s defence was flagging. I think we dominated BRAZIL by a long way. Personally, I didn’t see the fault on Pierre VAN HOOIJDONK (17). Now, we’re going to try and finish third which will be a good recompense.”

Jaap STAM (3):

“I think we were better than BRAZIL in this match. Today, we had our chance but we didn’t know how to seize it. With the first goal, we played the off-side badly. It’s a match which has given us extra experience. We are not a weaker team than BRAZIL.”

Dennis BERGKAMP (8):

“It will be difficult to motivate each other for the match for third place. But we’re ready and we’ll do everything we can to win. Concerning the Brazilian players, they alternate between periods of playing a very good game and playing a lot less well. It’s at this moment that we should have scored but we weren’t able to pull it off.”

Mario ZAGALLO, BRAZIL team coach

The DENMARK game was hard, but the match today against the NETHERLANDS was much more difficult. In fact, the Dutch team is more organised, not as rushed, and has a superb ball control. Certainly, DENMARK was an important team with exceptional players and a different style, but the Dutch selection is more difficult to confront than DENMARK.

Up until the last 4 minutes of the match, we played a very defensive game. Due to the NETHERLANDS way of playing and imposing the pace of the game, we couldn’t risk leaving open any spaces, otherwise we would easily have lost. In the first half, the NETHERLANDS were superior with their own strong defence, but they didn’t succeed in adjusting to our defensive game. In the second half, we had more opportunities. There were 2 or 3 plays that could have been decisive to the game, notably after DENILSON’s (19) entry, but fate brought the final score to 1 – 1. There was no particular quality in the team that was remarkable in itself. Physically and technically, they played superbly.

The extra time is a question of sudden death. I told them beforehand that it was all or nothing. The stakes were high, but just as in 1994, the penalties brought us victory. The choice of strikers was a difficult one. The substitution of LEONARDO (18) with EMERSON (11) had been a very difficult decision, but I am confident in my players and know that I made the right decision.

TAFFAREL (1) played an important match, but the victory is everyone’s. Whereas the Brazilians at home are all out in the streets right now partying, we can only be satisfied with our performance and continue preparing ourselves for the last match. We are here only to win, and we will win. There’s only one match left, and we will succeed.”

“As far as I’m concerned, penalty shoot-outs are always a lottery, and I’d chosen my strikers before the match. I think we put in an excellent performance in the competition.

To lose at this point is very disappointing, all the more so because BRAZIL didn’t appear to be invincible, even though they have some very talented players. I’m happy and satisfied with the performance of our team against a great team.

I won’t hide behind excuses that players like Marc OVERMARS (14), Winston BOGARDE (15) and Arthur NUMAN (5) couldn’t play. I think the replacements did a good job, so I’m not going to search for excuses like injuries of a days less rest or whatever…”

DUNGA (8), captain:

“I’m used to penalty shoot-outs, because in the 1994 World Cup in the USA, the match also finished that way. In this kind of exercise, you have to stay lucid and keep your concentration. The greatest players can crack during a penalty shoot-out. I’m exhausted after this match. Tomorrow, I’m going to rest. With regard to the Final to be played against FRANCE or CROATIA, I hope that our supporters will see us once again honoured as World Champions.”

ZE CARLOS (13):

“Considering I haven’t played for two months, I can be satisfied with my match. I could certainly have done better if I’d played more matches. I’m nonetheless happy, because with me playing, the BRAZIL team didn’t lose. I’d like to thank my friends, because they helped me before, during and after the match. Replacing CAFU (2) wasn’t easy, because I consider him to be a great player.”

LEONARDO (18):

“The first half was very difficult for both teams. After having opened the score, we tried to control the match up until the end, but didn’t succeed. The Dutch, thanks to their tenacity, succeeded in equalising. This resulted in going on to extra time and the penalty shoot-out.”

TAFFAREL (1):

“It was a grand victory. Thanks to God, we’ve succeeded again today, but we have to continue and get past the next obstacle as we only have one more match to play. This game was a true battle, but it proved that BRAZIL is prepared. For the penalty shoot-out, it’s the intuition that counts. You have to keep your concentration. The Brazilian supporters are ecstatic, but we still have one more match to play and we’ll play with all our strength to win.”

RONALDO (9):

“Sudden-death play-offs are unpleasant. At least BRAZIL succeeded in the penalty shoot-out. Now we have managed to get past this important stage, we’re capable of winning the World Cup.”