’We deserve to be here,’ says coach Gregg Berhalter after US sink Iran

30.11.2022 - 05:49 arabnews.com

DOHA: US coach Gregg Berhalter said his team belonged in the last 16 of the World Cup on Tuesday after defeating Iran 1-0 to set up a second round showdown with the Netherlands.

Five years after the Americans suffered the shock of failing to qualify for the 2018 finals in Russia, Berhalter has led a youthful US team into knockout rounds of the tournament.

Draws against Wales and England were followed by Tuesday’s nailbiting 1-0 win over arch-rivals Iran to seal qualification. But while Sunday’s last 16 clash with the Netherlands promises to be a step up in class, Berhalter said his team would have no trace of an inferiority complex. “It’s a great opportunity, but it’s not something that we’re going into it thinking it’s an honor,” Berhalter said. “We deserve to be in the position we’re in.

And we want to keep going. We don’t want to be going home next Wednesday. “So for us it’s how we recover from this game, and how to play a very good Dutch team.

US England Marcus Rashford Christian Pulisic Gareth Bale Gregg Berhalter Russia Qatar Netherlands Brazil Usa Doha Iran county Gregg

United States midfielder Gio Reyna said on Monday being told by coach Gregg Berhalter he would have a very limited role at the World Cup affected his training in the run-up, but that he apologized and was forgiven by the team.

US World Cup exit stings but future is bright, says Berhalter

DOHA : United States coach Gregg Berhalter said their World Cup last-16 exit after a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands on Saturday was difficult to accept but he took heart from the progress made by his young squad after their baptism of fire on the big stage.

Berhalter ‘hopeful’ on Pulisic fitness for World Cup last 16

DOHA: United States coach Gregg Berhalter is “hopeful” Christian Pulisic will be fit to face the Netherlands in Saturday’s World Cup last-16 clash but striker Josh Sargent remains a fitness doubt. Chelsea star Pulisic suffered a pelvic contusion following a heavy collision while scoring the winning goal in Tuesday’s 1-0 victory over Iran. The 24-year-old was subsequently substituted and went to hospital following the game for tests.

History-chasing Morocco want ‘no regrets’, says coach

DOHA: Morocco coach Walid Regragui wants “no regrets” after facing Canada on Thursday, with his team aiming for qualification to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 1986. The north African side reached the last 16 in Mexico 36 years ago for the only time in their history, and a point against already-eliminated Canada would see them repeat the feat. Morocco are second in Group F, level on four points with leaders Croatia, who face Belgium, on three points, while Canada are bottom with no points. “We don’t want to have an eye on the Croatia and Belgium match to decide our own fate, we (need to) give everything we’ve got so we have no regrets at the end,” Regragui told a press conference Wednesday. “We’ll give everything we’ve got. Our players want to make history and will give 110 percent to ensure the Moroccan population is happy.” Morocco players have been allowed to bring their families to the tournament and after the 2-0 win over Belgium on Sunday, Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi was pictured in an emotional embrace with his mother in the stands. “Before we got here we had a strategy meeting, to bring families with us or not,” said Regragui. “Based on our experience in 2018, along with our technical team, we chose the option to bring the families. “Some players have kids, some would rather have their parents with them. We did a good job in that regard. When you win, there’s no negatives, everyone is happy, but if you lose they will say — ‘Why did you bring the families?’ “We meet them after the game and then we concentrate on the next one. “The spirit of family off the pitch, we want to bring that onto the pitch, and until now it’s functioning very well.”