FIFA World Cup | Losing to Saudi Arabia was Argentina's turning point, says Scaloni
The Hindu
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he had no doubt Lionel Messi was the all-time best player after the World Cup semifinal win over Croatia
Argentina's loss to Saudi Arabia in their first World Cup game was a turning point in the changing room, coach Lionel Scaloni said on Tuesday, bringing out the grit to recover, win five consecutive matches and reach the tournament final.
"After we lost to Saudi Arabia, we felt a love and support from our fans, the entire country, our people, and that was amazing because it gave us the strength and energy that we needed to recuperate," Scaloni told reporters after Argentina swept past Croatia 3-0 in their World Cup semi-final.
"I try not to get emotional but it's difficult because I'm in the dream place for any Argentine. Representing my country is an emotional thing.
"Then you can win or lose, but it's about these guys (the players) and about our people. They have been with us in defeat and it is like nothing I ever experienced."
Unheralded Saudi Arabia notched one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history with their 2-1 win on Nov. 22.
But Argentina rose again thanks to a superb 35-year-old Lionel Messi who, on his fifth and final quest for the only major trophy to elude him, has participated in eight of the 12 goals his team have scored in Qatar.
He scored the first against Croatia and was elected man-of-the-match.
Asian Games champion Avinash Sable opened his season in the 3000m steeple chase with a silver in the Portland Track Festival, a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze event, in Oregon on Saturday. He clocked 8:21.85s. Asian champion Parul Chaudhary took the bronze in the women’s 3000m steeple chase in a season-best 9:31.38s. Former Asian bronze medallist Sanjivani Jadhav struck gold in the women’s 10,000m in 32:22.77s, a time which was a second off her personal best, while Seema was sixth in 32:55.91s.