After two missed shots, I went to the tunnel. “There was no intention to disrespect anyone.”
A battle of wits between two managers
The 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup Round of 16 match between Korea and Saudi Arabia held at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on the 31st (Korean time).Coach Jurgen Klinsmann (left) and Saudi coach Roberto Mancini are watching the game.
Saudi Arabian coach Roberto Mancini said about leaving during the penalty shootout, “I thought it was over.”
In the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup round of 16 match held at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on the 31st (Korean time), Saudi Arabia was tied 1-1 for 120 minutes until extra time with Korea and lost 2-2 in a penalty shootout. Lost by 4.
Saudi Arabia played a dominant game until the beginning of the second half.
The first goal was also Saudi Arabia’s.They took the lead just one minute into the second half with a goal from Abdullah Radif.
However, about a minute before the end of extra time in the second half, Cho Gyu-seong (Midtjylland)’s header equalized the score.
It was an overtime period largely dominated by Korea, but Saudi Arabia had a decisive scoring opportunity just before the final whistle sounded in the second half of overtime.
In the final penalty shootout, Saudi Arabia was eliminated after being blocked by Korean goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan), who blocked two shots.
Asian Cup 1st and 2nd highest paid coaches giving greetings
National team coach Jurgen Klinsmann and national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann prior to the start of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup Round of 16 match between Korea and Saudi Arabia held at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on the 31st (Korean time). Saudi Arabian coach Roberto Mancini is saying hello.
For Director Mancini, this is a disappointing result.
Maybe that’s why he left the bench and went into the tunnel when the Saudi players missed their second goal in the penalty shootout.
It was an action that may seem somewhat irresponsible.
At the press conference, naturally, questions were asked demanding an explanation for this act.
“I apologize, I thought the game was over,” Mancini said. “It was not my intention to disrespect anyone.”
“I want to say thank you to all the players. They have improved a lot,” he said.
He nervously answered somewhat aggressive questions asked by Saudi reporters.
When asked to explain the replacement card, he said, “I just needed a player who wasn’t tired. I used the replacement card to win.”
When asked about the loss, he replied, “In soccer, you can either win or lose,” and “We played well, but the opponent was strong.” 19가이드03