Monday, 14th July, 2014
Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella has refused to criticise his team despite their World Cup final loss against Germany, believing they gave their all.
Sabella's men had chances to win the game, Gonzalo Higuain guilty of missing a guilt-edged opportunity in the first half, while Lionel Messi had an opportunity to drill the ball into the bottom corner, but pulled his shot just wide.
A Mario Gotze goal for Germany in the 113th minute would prove to be the clincher, a question to which Argentina had no answer.
But Sabella was at pains to pay tribute to his side after the match, rather than dwelling on defeat in the biggest game in international football.
"The players are bitter and sad because we had a huge dream having made it all the way to the final. We needed to be more clinical and I am sad just like the players", the Argentina boss told FIFA.
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"Beyond the pain of the defeat in the final they can look themselves in the eyes and say they gave everything for Argentina.
"We have an extraordinary group of players, these were warriors. I congratulated the players because they left every drop of sweat out on the field. They gave their all.
"I am very proud, the boys played an extraordinary World Cup and improved as they advantages through the stages and they gave everything for the Argentina jersey."
Whether Sabella will remain to guide Argentina to another World Cup, he could not say, vowing to "rest" first.
"I cannot speak about the future, the future for me now is to be with the players and my people – the coaches and my family – and to rest a bit. I don't know what to say about the future."
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