Texas, United States.
Jose Francisco Molinacoach of the Honduras national teamhighlighted positive aspects in his team despite the 2-0 defeat against Argentina. The Spaniard praised the work of his players who competed against the world champions.
The strategist now focuses on the September FIFA dates, because until that date he will compete again Honduras already in the official competitions in the Concacaf Nations Leagues.
Finally, Molina He explained that young players need to continue having more opportunities in their clubs, since he is counting on them since he has seen them work and has a lot to give.
THE WORDS OF JOSÉ MOLINA:
Analysis of the match against Argentina: “It was a very complicated game, we knew it, logically, against Argentina, against the world champion. We came to try to fight with our weapons, that’s what we did. We pressed high when we could, but Argentina has a lot of quality and plays the ball well. The game plan was to be together when we couldn’t press to avoid their inside combinations. I think we did very well. In the first half Argentina hardly had any scoring chances, except for Lo Celso’s shot that hit the crossbar before the penalty and another combination inside”.
What you liked about your team: “I think we defended very well. When we could, we attacked and had the ball, although it didn’t go as well as we wanted. But the team competed, gave their best and I’m very happy with the work the players have done. Now it’s time to continue working for the next date in September.”
He is confident that the players can grow more: “We have to change some things. As far as I’m concerned, help the players perform even better than they have done and to trust them. I am convinced that we can achieve it and that we have the quality. They also need opportunities in their clubs to continue growing and we will end up competing, I have no doubt.”
Ask for opportunity for young players: “Yes, we have youth because we trust them. We believe they have capacity and talent, and what they need are opportunities to grow. We are trying to help them in that process.”
Difficult to compete against a high-level team: “And about Argentina, I don’t have much to value. They are a great team with players of great technical, tactical and physical quality. That is why they are among the best teams in the world and it is difficult to compete against them for any rival that is not at that level.”
The weapons he used to avoid being beaten: “Brazil, Spain, England and Germany compete in a different way because they have other weapons. The rest of us have to use ours to try to surprise them and fight for the game. We have tried, it didn’t go the way we wanted, but I’m happy.”
What was missing what to do: “Today we played to try to push up when we could, especially when the goalkeeper came out. We were able to rarely, we must admit. We also tried to avoid combinations inside, because Argentina accumulates many quality players in the central part and there they do damage. We have to come together more and defend ourselves as a team.”
He regrets the mistake in Meléndez’s penalty: “We did very well. If it weren’t for the penalty in the first half, perhaps it would have cost them a little more. Physically they are also superior and we were declining. We have to accept what we are and fight with that. We can’t play against Argentina the way Argentina plays because we don’t have those players.”
