SANTIAGO (AP) — Argentina coach Diego Placente praised his team’s performance in the U20 World Cup on Sunday and regretted that “a dream slipped away” after the 2-0 defeat against Morocco that frustrated the effort to win a seventh championship in the category.
“The boys had an incredible tournament, but you can’t always win,” said Placente in a press conference after the final of the U20 World Cup that was held in Chile.
Argentina, the top winner of the competition in the youth category with six consecrations, returned to a final 18 years after it won its sixth world title, in Canada 2007. For this reason, Placente regretted the outcome of a team that once again dreamed of the highest.
“They know that they played well and a dream also escaped them,” he said.
Argentina reached the final undefeated, with six wins in six games played: against Cuba, Australia and Italy in the group stage and then against Nigeria, Mexico and Colombia in the direct elimination stage.
“The team grew during the tournament, in each game it was solid,” evaluated the coach. “I am happy with the tournament held and the performance of the players.”
Regarding Morocco’s victory, which surprised by beating soccer powers such as Brazil, Spain, France and now Argentina, he pointed out that the African country “was a fair champion” and acknowledged that it was difficult for the Argentines to prevail in the process.
Yassir Zabiri scored a double at 12 and 29 minutes to complete the Moroccan victory.
“In the final there are many emotions and sometimes that can work against us. It was difficult for us to overcome the mistake, because the opponent is physically and technically very good. We made quick changes to raise the physical level,” evaluated Place.
Finally, Placente praised the atmosphere built in the locker room and highlighted that “what was most enjoyed was the group that was assembled outside” the field. “This group is going to be missed, because you really feel proud knowing these players as kids.”
