Coach Santos' World Cup Comments

June 20, 2014
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Greek National Team coach Fernando Santos believes that his team could have defeated Japan yesterday in the World Cup, if player Costas Katsouranis didn't receive a first-half red card.

The final score in the Group C division finalized at 0-0. Katsouranis was penalized in the 38th minute of the match for a second yellow. Santos described, "When Katsouranis was sent off, it changed the game fundamentally...Without the red card we probably could have won the game.", as reported by Kathimerini.

The Greek coach explained, "I told my players at halftime that we should be compact at the back. We tried to eliminate the midfield for them and we were able to do that even though Japan were dominating".

Santos added, "I told my players at halftime the way to fight back is to work well defensively and try to counter-attack but you need to have the ball in the right moment to use the spaces and the wings...I believe we did part of that well but had difficulties in other parts".

Athlete Costa Mitroglou was hurt in a back injury and had to be taken out of the game as well. His coach stated of the injury: "These are very painful knocks on the bone. It is probably not severe".

(Source:http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite5_1_20/06/2014_540712)

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