Portugal midfielder Deco has issued a statement to explain his post-World Cup opener remarks about coach Carlos Queiroz's choices.
The Chelsea playmaker had criticized Queiroz's decision to deploy him on the right flank in the second-half, only to replace him with Tiago just 15 minutes later. Portugal's opening match against Cote d' Ivoire ended in a goalless draw.
Deco had also questioned his coach's approach to the match, saying that trying to win in 45 minutes almost made Portugal lose the encounter.
He has now declared that it was not his intention to criticize his coach and that his comments reflected his disappointment with the result.
"I want to clarify that I have never had any problem with the coach and it was never my intention to put into question the leadership and the decisions of professor Carlos Queiroz," a Deco statement read.
"My words were uttered in the heat of the moment, without the slightest discernment, because the match had just ended and I felt deeply frustrated for not helping the team win.
"The first half did not go well. In the second-half there were more spaces and I was convinced I could help the team.
"No player likes to be substituted and I am no exception. I believed that at any moment I could make an assist or even score a goal a goal that would decide the match.
"That is where my frustration came from, motivated specially by not helping my team.
"But I never wanted to put the coach into question.
"We have two more matches ahead and we want to reach the Round of 16. That is the objective we are going to focus on."
Portugal will play their second World Cup match against North Korea on June 21st.
The Chelsea playmaker had criticized Queiroz's decision to deploy him on the right flank in the second-half, only to replace him with Tiago just 15 minutes later. Portugal's opening match against Cote d' Ivoire ended in a goalless draw.
Deco had also questioned his coach's approach to the match, saying that trying to win in 45 minutes almost made Portugal lose the encounter.
He has now declared that it was not his intention to criticize his coach and that his comments reflected his disappointment with the result.
"I want to clarify that I have never had any problem with the coach and it was never my intention to put into question the leadership and the decisions of professor Carlos Queiroz," a Deco statement read.
"My words were uttered in the heat of the moment, without the slightest discernment, because the match had just ended and I felt deeply frustrated for not helping the team win.
"The first half did not go well. In the second-half there were more spaces and I was convinced I could help the team.
"No player likes to be substituted and I am no exception. I believed that at any moment I could make an assist or even score a goal a goal that would decide the match.
"That is where my frustration came from, motivated specially by not helping my team.
"But I never wanted to put the coach into question.
"We have two more matches ahead and we want to reach the Round of 16. That is the objective we are going to focus on."
Portugal will play their second World Cup match against North Korea on June 21st.
No comments:
Post a Comment