Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella said his side would return home with their chin up ?after ending their World Cup campaign with last-gasp 3-2 victory over the United States in Los Angeles on Thursday.
Montella praised the players for showing their skills, abilities ?and character despite the mental toll of already ?being eliminated and playing in front of ?a predominantly pro-U.S. crowd.
“We can go back home with ?our chin up,” Montella said. “Football hurts, but I got ?emotional at the end of the game… Today’s match matters much more than 1,000 victories.”
Montella said Turkey had created enough ?chances throughout the tournament but had not been ?clinical enough, while stressing he would not blame individual players for missed ?opportunities.
He said his side had been unfortunate in their opening two matches, arguing that even a draw from either game could have changed their fate, but ?accepted that “football is ?not always ?fair”.
Montella said the team’s celebrations after the final whistle reflected their national pride ?and gave him confidence for the future.
Turkey ?were ?making their first World Cup appearance since 2002, and Montella said he hoped they would not have to ?wait ?another 24 years to return. “Hopefully ?we will do better, not in 24 years but earlier than that,” ?he said.