Gustavo Ferrin, the coach of Angola, expressed his satisfaction with the 1-1 draw achieved against Senegal, particularly considering the circumstances of the match. Here’s a summary of his comments:
Reporter: Coach, how do you feel about the 1-1 draw against Senegal?
Gustavo Ferrin: It’s a positive result for us. We could have even had a better outcome if the referee had not denied us a clear penalty. Nonetheless, avoiding a loss is always a good outcome, especially considering Senegal’s reputation as the stronger team both collectively and individually. We were able to thwart them despite having several key players absent.
Reporter: Angola has secured three draws in three days in these qualifiers. What are your thoughts on this?
Gustavo Ferrin: The crucial thing for me is not losing. Our team is quite young, with some players participating in the Angolan championship that hasn’t started yet. This puts us at a disadvantage against more seasoned Senegalese players. However, we found our rhythm in the second half, and moving forward, our focus will be on refining our efforts to achieve better results in the upcoming matches.
Reporter: What played a decisive role in this match?
Gustavo Ferrin: The physical stature of the Senegalese players worked in our favor. The absence of Manucho and others also turned out to be advantageous as it motivated our young players to match or even dominate Senegal. Despite having the potential to win, the referee’s decision to deny us a penalty prevented us from securing a victory. We’ll prepare thoroughly for the return match, ensuring the team is more energetic and ready to perform at its best.
