Gregg Berhalter, United States coach, told EFE after his team’s victory against Iran (1-0), in the third and last game of Group B, which meant their qualification for the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar
, that his initial objective “was to pass the round” and that “from now on, anything can happen”.
“The initial objective was to pass the round; and now anything can happen. What we have to do is go game by game, focusing on that. Now we have the Netherlands. It is sensational to be in the round of 16, but we are facing an opportunity”, Berhalter commented to Efe, during the press conference after the game.
As an American coach of 49 years, he played in the World Cup in Japan and Korea in 49 as a player, becoming at that time the first English Crystal Palace player to play in the main international tournament by nations.
“For the boys from now on everything will be an opportunity, but above all I hope they enjoy the experience,” the US coach replied to EFE at the Al Thumama stadium in Doha , who commented that the change of his scorer, Christian Pulisic, occurred “because of his injury” -which occurred when he scored- and that, as a precaution, he was transferred to a clinic.
“The focus of the match was difficult, because we knew that a draw was worth it for Iran. We started very well, with a great first part; but what I feel most proud of is the end of the game”, he pointed out.
“I feel proud of the pride, effort and resilience of my players”, stressed Berhalter at the press conference FIFA official after the match.
Christian Pulisic, voted best man of the match, did not appear in the meeting room press, having been transferred, as assured by his coach, to a clinic to undergo a medical examination “as a precaution”.
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