FR
EN
3 June 2018
Jean-Paul Abalo (Togo head coach) : « The assessment is positive »
Despite the loss against France (2-0), the Togolese head coach Jean-Paul Abalo was proud of his players' behaviour during the competition.
"When we came here, we knew it will be complicated. In Togo, we have not any youth leagues to form a team. We tried with what we have. When I look what they producted during the three games, I am really satisfied. On this game, if the referee would have not send-off one of our player, we would cause more problems to France. The three red cards we had during this tournament are not deserved. Our players are not mean. The opponent yells and the referee is duped. Our boys are not experienced enough to also do it.
All our training sessions were based on the tactics. We have players who are not in big clubs. So, at the start, it is a little bit complicated. But we settled an organisation that they respected. It was nice. And I enjoyed a lot the state of mind. We never gave up, despite the two goals conceded. The level of this tournament is high. Compared to our squad, we had a little bit of apprehension. But, with the job we did, we were good. The assessment is positive because we are not at the bottom of the group.
Some youth competitions have to be organized in order to have more maturity. My players were very motivated to show them. If we keep working, a lot of players could go further. Football is a collective sport but two, three players impressed me. Especially the captain, Hakim Ouro-Sama."
