We were lucky says Sampath but Nepal coach not happy

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Sri Lanka coach Sampath Perera and Mohamed Rifnaz at the post match press conference (Photo - SAFF Suzuki Cup)
Opening match of SAFF Suzuki Cup between Sri Lanka and Nepal in Thiruvananthapuram, India, Wednesday, December. 23, 2015. (Images.mv Photo/ Hussain Sinan).

Coach Sampath Perera admitted that Sri Lanka were lucky to win while Nepal Coach Patrick Aussmess critized the game plan of Sri Lanka, in the SAFF Suzuki Cup opener in Trivandrum, India.

Dominant Nepal were stunned by a goal from Mohamed Rifnaz deep into injury time and were left ruining their mistakes in front of goal.  

Sampath Perea admitted his team was lucky to come out of the game with all three points but praised the work ethic of the players who stuck to the plan.

“Before the match we had a game plan and the boys played according to that. Nepal is technically much better team than us but we worked hard and got the win.” mentioned Perera.

“Match to match strategies are different and today we played a defensive game and it worked. The match was going for a draw but we were lucky to win. We need to work out some small things in training before our next match,” he finally added.

With this win, Sri Lanka sit right at the top of Group A, with India yet to play a match and Nepal suffering a shock defeat. For Nepal, the match against India becomes all the more important in order to qualify for the semi-finals.

Speaking to the media after the match, Coach Patrick Aussems criticized the defensive nature of their opponent’s game.

“We played possession football. We created moves and played an attacking game whereas, in modern football, it is not a good thing Sri Lanka only tried to play defensive game,” criticized Aussems.ng”

Speaking about Nepal’s performance in the match, Aussems said it was unacceptable to concede the goal in the manner that they did.

Coach Sampath Perera and Dumidu Hettiarachchi celebrating the winner by Rifnaz (Photo - SAFF Suzuki Cup)
Coach Sampath Perera and Dumidu Hettiarachchi celebrating the winner by Rifnaz (Photo – SAFF Suzuki Cup)

“We conceded a sloppy goal in the last minute. Sometimes we make mistakes and it happens in football. But when the match is heading towards a draw, you can’t concede a goal like this,” added Aussems.

Aussems also added that he hasn’t given up hopes of progressing to the knock out stage of the tournament.

“We still have a match left and Sri Lanka will also have to play against India. So we are still on” said Aussems.