Interview with Flying Eagles coach Paul Aigbogun ahead of Monday’s U20 World Cup Round of 16 clash against fellow West Africans Senegal.
QUESTION: Congratulations coach, your team have made it to the round of 16, how would you rate the game against Ukraine?
AIGBOGUN: Yes, first of all, we knew it was going to be a difficult game because we have tracked Ukraine and they are well-organised and a disciplined team who have ability. We had a good look at them and planned well for them. Thanks to the players, they kept organised and followed the plan we wanted them to go through.
QUESTION: Your team first went down 1 – 0, what did you tell them in the dressing room because they played better in the second half and even got a goal?
No, I think they did well in the first half, you know when you go to a game and you know that either a win or draw will take you through, they were beaten them tentative in the first half, at the beginning we were trying not to concede a goal and once they conceded, we had a penalty which we missed.
What we had to tell them for the second half is go out there and express yourself. We didn’t just need a draw, we needed to score to stay in the tournament and I think that brought the best out of the players and allowed them to play and we thank God for the result.*
QUESTION: You face Senegal next on Monday, how are you going to approach the game. I know you have seen them at the U20 AFCON.
It is going to be Africa to Africa and in this one as you have said, they are good side we will show them respect, but we won’t fear them and I am sure they will look at us too, we have known each other in the previous tournament, we watched them play and again we know that we have to be at our best during the game.
They are a good team, any team you meet now in the tournament is going to be a tough opposition.
