ACTUALITE |
12.06.2002
Ramelow moment was crucial, claims Schafer
Cameroon coach Winfried Schafer has cited Carsten Ramelow`s professional foul on Samuel Eto`o as the moment that eliminated the Indomitable Lions from the World Cup.
"The crucial moment was when Eto`o was fouled by Ramelow. I would have preferred Ramelow to have stayed on and Eto`o to have scored," he said.
Schafer had hoped to get his revenge for being rejected by the Bundesliga through eliminating his homeland from the World Cup, but despite going down to ten men, Germany won 2-0.
"I pointed out to my players at half-time that it would be difficult to beat them with ten men, and to pass it out to the wings, but still keeping an eye on the lone German striker.
"Cameroon have faced teams with ten men in the Olympics, but these things only happen once in a while," he said.
Schafer followed the example of Lauren in admitting he was frustrated with how the squad had been forced to prepare for the tournament.
"I don`t think I would have done anything differently in this game. But I would have tried to arrive in Japan earlier for the first game against Ireland.
"We would have won that game. My boys deserved it. They have prepared for this for the past four years. It was a pity that we did not win that game because of sheer lack of acclimatisation.
"After the game, I thanked my players. I thought they had a great World Cup. They did not deserve to go out this way.
"I did not want the last match to be a decider. But it happened and I advised them to keep their heads up, not to get depressed."
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Hits: 1 | Source:One Football | |
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