FRANCE 98 – Belgium-Rep. of Korea – L. Mpenza: “I'm going to avoid talking about football for a couple of weeks”

: “Everyone thought we were going to make it into the second round – unfortunately we failed. The first fifteen minutes went well, but we didn’t manage to score a second goal, which would have given us assurance. We led 1 – 0 at that moment, we thought we had qualified, and yet they managed to equalise. Yes, I’m very disappointed, I’m going to avoid talking about football for a couple of weeks.”

Eric DEFLANDRE (22): “We are very disappointed with this draw, especially since we won’t be in the second round. After a good start, we unfortunately fell apart in the second half. We scored our first goal too early and then we kept getting repelled by the Korean attacks. Personally, I am satisfied with my World Cup experience. I was fit for this tournament and happy to be able to rub elbows with world-class players.”

Gert VERHEYEN (18), sidelined by suspension: “The atmosphere in the locker room was gloomy. Everyone was depressed, really crushed. The result of the NETHERLANDS-MEXICO match had no effect on our play, as we didn’t learn the score until we left the pitch. With a one-goal lead, we might have tried to hold on, but, sadly, we chose the wrong strategy.”