TUNISIA-SAUDI ARABIA: Coaches' Quotes

14 June 2006

Roger LEMERRE (TUN)

It was a point gained for me. I’m reasonably satisfied because if there was one thing I didn’t want, it was to be bottom after the first match day. The first game in a major tournament is always difficult and you have to remember that we could easily have lost.

We controlled the game well despite being a little nervous. The goal gave us a bit more confidence, but it wasn't enough. Then we started to concentrate too much on holding onto the lead. But I'm still happy that my players found the strength to go in search of the equaliser right at the end of the match.

My players are lacking in competitive football. We’re disappointed because we feel as though we've missed an opportunity to put a foot in the second round. It’s a difficult situation but that's the nature of the competition. We will fight right until the last minute in our last game against Ukraine.

Marcos PAQUETA (KSA)
I really feel that we’ve lost two points tonight. We needed to keep more calm to hold onto our advantage. It was all the more frustrating that we played two completely different halves. In the first half, we were very nervous and made lots of mistakes. At half-time, I told my players to express themselves a bit more and to attack down the wings. They realised what they had to do and rectified the situation in the second half.

Our defence played well in my opinion, even though we conceded two goals. I don’t blame them for anything and I won’t be making any changes for our next match against Ukraine. We are mathematically even with Tunisia. Ukraine have lost three points and probably suffered a blow to their morale. I hope we can take advantage of that.