Abu Dhabi: Mexico head coach Raul Gutierrez praised Fifa Under-17 World Cup final conquerors Nigeria and said they deserved to win the tournament.
Gutierrez insisted his team made too many mistakes in Friday’s Abu Dhabi contest, but confirmed he was satisfied with his team’s campaign, which began with a 6-1 defeat by the same opponents.
“We played good matches and defeated strong opponents and the only team we failed to beat was Nigeria. They know how to use our mistakes and defeated us twice.” Gutierrez said in the press conference following the final.
“We committed some mistakes and, during the break, we talked to the players how to iron them out. But despite playing better in the second half, they failed to score and the Nigerians kept on scoring. They are a very good team and deserved to emerge as champions.
“Despite the failure to defend the title we won two years ago, I am satisfied and proud with my players and my team — they showed great character and played strong matches.”
Mexico’s disappointing performance has highlighted by a brawl between goalkeeper Raul Gudino and midfielder Luis Hernandez, which led to the latter’s subsitution at the start of the second half.
Gutierrez said of the incident, “It is common in football that some conflict of views and hot-tempered conversations occur between colleagues, especially when they are in crucial matches and they are trailing, because of the pressures of the situation. But I am sure and can confirm that the problem ended quickly and the players are like brothers.
“I did not replace Hernandez to punish him — that was a tactical move. He is a good player and did a good job in all the matches he played in.”
About his own future, Gutierrez said, “My task has finished with the end of the tournament. I will meet the officials of the Mexican FA soon to see what they want me to do.”
