For their first game in the group B, Togo clinched a deserved draw against Scotland (1-1). The CD Nacional (Portuguese League) goalkeeper has been one of the man of the match. He is satisfied with this start of the competition.
"It was a good game, with a lot of intensity and duels. We were present and we had he ball possession. It is a good start. We were ready, we knew Scotland were a real nation of football. In the duels, they were solid, with strong strikers. We knew it and we prepared for it.
For the next games, we will have to be more careful with our making on the free kicks. I think we will have to work a lot on that and keep working as well on what we usually do, the ball passing etc...
Why not qualifying for the semi-finals ? Everything is possible. With the determination and the motivation, we can go far in the tournament. We are lucky to play the Maurice Revello Tournament. A lot of great players did it. The best national teams take part to it. It is important for Togo to show we are here".
Jean-Paul Abalo (Togo head coach) : "We came here to test the local players' level, because we don't have any leagues. The main goal is to test their abilities. But also to go as far as we can in this tournament and maybe allow them to mix with high level football.
I tell them they don't have anything to lose ! We are not used to play this kind of game, so they deserved this result. For the next, we are aware that it won't be easy.
I know they are able to give everything, because before to come here, we did a few preparation training in Lomé. We played against premier division. We can dream about a semi-final. The dreams are permitted to everybody. We can hope to go far, especially after this game. We will recover before. The next games will be determining for us".
Credits photo : Magali Ruffato