Bielsa disconsolate after Argentina World Cup exit

June 16, 2002

BUENOS AIRES, June 16 (DS) - One of the pre-tournament favorites Argentina suffered an early exit and their coach Marcelo Bielsa commented on the Argentinean national team's humiliation in an interview with the Argentinean daily Ole.

The Argentinean head coach confirmed that they failed to attain their minimum aim of reaching the second phase: "We played well, I have no one to accuse of poor performance. Nevertheless we failed to reach our aim. Football is unpredictable and it's not always the strongest or the best team who win. This time around we were the best team in our group. We deserved to win against Sweden; the same is true concerning our clash against Nigeria. I think we did not deserve to suffer the defeat from England, but there is nothing to be done about it."

Meanwhile Bielsa ruled our claims of his players who revealed that they were not fit to play at the World Cup. Bielsa also tried to clarify the issue of his future at the Argentinean national team: "My contract is due to expire at the end of this month. I would have told you if there were a possibility that I would remain the Argentina coach. I'd read before the World Cup that Grondona (Argentinean Football Association chairman) was keen to extend my contract. Now if he is still eager to see me coach the national team after we failed at the World Cup, I will consider his offer."

The Argentina coach also commented on the tactical schemes he employed at the tournament. He opined that it would have made no difference if he lined-up two strikers as the Argentineans squandered a number of chances: "We created many chances, I don't think that the presence of an extra forward would have made the difference."

Dailysoccer