FR
EN
13 juin 2023
Panama 1-1 (9-8 pen) Morocco : Post-game reactions
On the final day of Group C, Panama and Morocco faced off to see who would progress to the semi-finals of the competition. Panama finally won on penalties to finish top of their group. Here are the reactions of the coaches and players of both sides.
Mohamed Ouahbi (Morocco head coach) :
"We controlled their possession phase very well, but in the second half our opponents put on pressure and made an impact. The difference in age and size played a big part in this match.
They deserved to equalise in the second half.
It was a good experience because we played three completely different teams. There are lessons to be learned. At half-time, I told my players to stay calm.
Our ambition was to go as far as possible, to win the Tournament, but now we have to move on."
Faissal Al Mazyani (Morocco midfielder) :
"We're playing with a young team. We're here with the U20s and the U23s. But that doesn't matter. Football is played with the head and the feet.
But we gave everything we had to win, and it wasn't enough. Of course we're frustrated because this is a very good tournament with a lot of good teams.
But yes, football is like that, sometimes you lose, sometimes you win. We don't need to put our heads down. We need to move forward."
Jorge Dely Valdes (Panama head coach) :
"Yes, I'm proud, because I think we made a lot of mistakes in the first half. We won the second half and I'm very proud of the work we did.
It was very important for the players to come back in the second half in a different frame of mind and win the match. This is a historic tournament for us, for Panama.
We're one of the four best nations in this competition, and that means a lot to us. It's very important for our football.
Leonel Tejada (Panama forward) :
"The match was very complicated for me. The coach put me in the starting line-up because he has confidence in me, and I wanted to repay that confidence by scoring a goal and helping the team.
I had my chances, but I hope they come later in the tournament.
Our ambitions as a team are to go as far as we can, to reach the final and to continue working together as a team."
