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11 June 2023
Saudi Arabia 0-0 (3-2 pen) Costa Rica : Post-game reactions
Saudi Arabia beat Costa Rica after the penalty shoot-out (0-0 pen. 3-2) in a tight match. Here are the post-match reactions from the players and coaches of both teams.
Faisal Abdulrahman Alghamdi (Saudi Arabia player) :
« Our main ambition was to finish the game before the end of normal time. We prepared ourselves mentally and physically, whether the match ended in the 90 minutes or in the penalty shoot-out.
Most of the chances went to one side. We had a lot of chances but we weren't very effective. We were confident from the start. We wanted to win the game and take the three points. In the end it didn't work out, but we won thanks to penalties. »
Saudi Arabia assistant coach :
« We were more dangerous in the second half thanks to the coach's coaching at half-time. We studied Costa Rica tactically and technically. So we have information and instructions for the players who were able to make the difference and create chances in the second half.
Our main aspiration is to get to the semi-finals and play as many games as possible, but that's not the team's main objective. It's good that this tournament is being organised before the start of the qualifiers for the Asian Cup and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in September. What we enjoy most is facing different teams as well as facing squads from different continents. »
Douglas Sequeira (Costa Rica head coach) :
« We lost but I'm not disappointed because we played a very good first half. We created chances that we didn't manage to convert. The second half was a bit more complicated, but we managed to take the penalty. Our aim was to win, but we didn't. We're not disappointed, but we didn't achieve what we wanted to do.
We knew before we started the competition that this was a very difficult group. Each time we managed to produce and play some good football. We were competitive against all the teams except France, where we conceded two goals. It was a very tight group and we're proud of what we did. »
Cameron Johnson (Costa Rica player) :
« We had a lot of chances in the game but we didn't take them as the coach said. We were unlucky in the penalty shoot-out and Saudi Arabia were better, which is why they won the match.
For the last match, we have to win to avoid finishing last. We're representing our country, so we have to do ourselves proud and win this last match. »
