Match Number 42 HOL - MEX Quotes

 

"We didn't play very well against MEXICO this evening, but we are pleased to have qualified for the second round. Being Dutch, we tend to be self-critical and we can say that today we didn't play at our best level. In the first half, we scored two beautiful goals and in the ten to fifteen minutes after half time, we played well. Then, we relaxed our defence and let the Mexicans attack at us. I had to make some changes to our team to avoid the risk of red cards. MEXICO had an excellent performance in all respects. It's a tough team and they persevere. It's not the first time that they have been two goals down and have come back to equalise. As for our opponents in the second round, GERMANY is known world-wide and our fixture will be a real clash of the titans. We respect them but don't fear them. As for YUGOSLAVIA, they're also a good team, that we are ready to meet."

 

"Right from the beginning, we tried to play well, but frankly we lacked confidence and cohesion. It was only in the second half that we were able to attack, as we wanted. With several substitutions, our game improved and our tactics got better. It's a very difficult World Cup; all the teams have been fighting to qualify. Now, we'll do our best to reach the quarterfinals. As for GERMANY or YUGOSLAVIA, our possible opponents, we all know that those teams are excellent, but we're ready to meet them."

 

 

 

 

Alberto GARCIA ASPE (8), captain:

"We demonstrated a strength of character in this match against HOLLAND and our team has a strong personality. We got out of a tricky situation and did the right thing. I didn't know the result of the other match between BELGIUM and SOUTH KOREA because we were all concentrating on our game. It was a really good performance as HOLLAND are amongst the favourites for this World Cup. We have a good team and could take on anybody, GERMANY just as well as YUGOSLAVIA. The Latin American teams are now just as good as the European ones."

 

Jorge CAMPOS (1):

"As for the red card given to Ramon RAMIREZ (7). I didn't agree with the referee's decision but he's the one who has the last say. I followed all the GERMANY and YUGOSLAVIA matches and don't have a particular preference. In either case, we'll do our utmost."

 

Ramon RAMIREZ (7):

"I'm sad, I won't be able to play in the second round as I got a red card. However, I am happy for my country. We've got our qualification thanks to our excellent second halves. I don't have any preference as to our next opponents who will be in any case very difficult. We'll do our best."

 

Ricardo PELAEZ (9):

"Today is really something to remember, but tomorrow we'll have to think about our next round. I am happy for the whole of South America. For the rest of the tournament, we'll know how to maintain the essential quality needed by every team: the desire to win… whoever the opponent might be."

 

Cuauhtemoc BLANCO (11):

"We have reached our goal thanks to tonight's match against HOLLAND: We're through to the second round. If we want to put the pressure on GERMANY, we'll have to be very motivated and not hesitate to attack. We have an offensive side that can do just that."

 

Luis HERNANDEZ (15):

"It's a joy that we're going to celebrate this evening. I'm glad I'm played today. I'll always remember it because we made it to the second round. HOLLAND took advantage of our attacking game and space to score their goals. During the second half, we tightened up the sidelines and we managed to score using counterattack. We didn't want to know the result of the BELGIUM - SOUTH KOREA match. We now hope that COLOMBIA to make Latin America happy. I want to thank the public, they supported us up until the end. Our equalisation is thanks to them as well."

 

Frank DE BOER (4), captain:

"We played well in the first half, but we lost concentration in the second half. The Mexicans got a lot of possession, which is why we played more defensively. Those that were replaced were very tired, the others weren't really in the game. The end of the game was weird because we thought that it would finish 2-1 and we're very disappointed with the result. We slowed down the rhythm in the second half because we didn't have enough up front. Luckily, it is a harmless draw. We'll try to do better next time."

 

Jaap STAM (3):

"I'd never have thought that we could have lost so much ground like that. We knew the Mexicans were fighters before this match. Their technique wasn't very good, but they made up for it with their attitude. We left a lot of gaps and our strikers didn't get enough of the ball. The Mexicans often played down the wings, which was a bad thing for us. We played badly, but at least we learnt a few things, and its up to us to draw the conclusions."

 

Arthur NUMAN (5):

"We had a good first hour. We felt safe. I got a yellow card and psychologically, that was upsetting. At the time, I felt weakened and my Mexican counterpart made the most of that to get on top of us. I don't understand why the referee didn't give more cards as the Mexicans play-acted and committed several fouls. They were very aggressive."

Ronald DE BOER (7):

Anyway we're first and that's the most important thing. It's such a shame that we let them catch us up at the end of the match. It's taught us a good lesson; we need to concentrate until the end of the match so as not to make the same sort of mistakes we made today. We could beat any other team."

Dennis BERGKAMP (8):

"We had a good first half but after halftime we weren't in the game anymore. It was harder for us because MEXICO raised the level of their game. We didn't play down the wings either. For us, it's a negative result, we didn't play up to our usual standard."

 

Edgar DAVIDS (16):

"We played well in the first half. Then the match conditions made things harder. We let go a little and MEXICO managed to develop their game and become dangerous."

 

Pierre VAN HOOIJDONK (17):

"We could have won. We've got a lot of potential and the team we meet in the second round only worries us a little. As far as I'm concerned, I'll be happy to play and score in the final matches, but I respect the coach's decision. The team comes first."

 

Jerrel HASSELBAINK (21):

"We played very badly during the last twenty minutes. We were punished. The next time, we'll have to be careful, but I'm confident."