USA - S. Sampson: "My players have got their confidence back"

19.06.98 19h00 CET

Steve SAMPSON :

Comments from SAINT-JEAN-D'ARDIERES

"We needed 24 hours to get ourselves together after we lost to GERMANY (Group F). The last two training sessions were very intense. My players have got their confidence back. It's true to say that the match against IRAN (Group F) on Sunday 21 June, will not be an easy one. My players must take their responsibilities seriously in order to make it easier to follow the game-plan. I'm asking them for a competitive spirit and not to give up after their opponents' first goal, as was the case against GERMANY. I have a lot of respect for forwards like Ali DAEI (10) and Karim BAGHERI (6). What's more, the Iranian team have got an advantage : the understanding between their forwards and their defenders.

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