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07/03 04:35 CDT Belgium coach Garcia says he was not criticizing African teams
with World Cup comments
Belgium coach Garcia says he was not criticizing African teams with World Cup
comments
By JEROME PUGMIRE
AP Sports Writer
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia says he was not criticizing African soccer when
describing "those teams" who lose their tactical shape following his side's
improbable comeback victory over Senegal at the World Cup.
Belgium rallied from 2-0 down to secure a dramatic 3-2 win, with a goal deep
into extra time, on Wednesday and next faces the United States on Monday in
Seattle.
Senegal led 2-0 with five minutes remaining but late goals by Romelu Lukaku and
Youri Tielemans pushed the round of 32 match into extra time. Tielemans then
scored a penalty in the 125th minute.
Garcia was interviewed on television moments after the game. He said: "We know
those teams, they lose their tactical structure toward the end of the match."
He then added: "We also knew that at 2-0 (up) they would do everything to
protect their goal, which in my opinion is a grave mistake. Remind me when
we're leading 2-0 not to do that."
Garcia's comments were perceived by some observers to be aimed at shortcomings
of African soccer. The 62-year-old Frenchman posted a message on Instagram on
Thursday night to clarify his words and said they were in no way a criticism of
African teams.
"When I spoke of ?those teams,' I was referring to teams unaccustomed to
managing a lead in high-level World Cup matches. My comments were by no means
aimed at African teams," Garcia said.
"They could just as easily have applied to Asian, South American or European
teams unfamiliar with that kind of pressure. As a less experienced coach
myself, I learned the hard way that stopping play to defend a result at all
costs is counterproductive."
Statisticians Opta reminded Garcia of that by posting a message on X saying
that, when he was coaching in French soccer, he lost three Ligue 1 matches
after leading 2-0.
Garcia coached Lille to the league and French Cup double in 2011. He went on to
lead Marseille and Lyon, as well as Roma and Napoli in Italy, before taking
charge of Belgium in January last year. -__
See more of AP's World Cup coverage here
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