Respect due- Respect earned

Details

Football

Sunday, 10 June 2012 02:30

By Colin James

Antigua St John's - They may have been operating from different benches and had different priorities and objectives on the game.

But they were united in their assessment that Antigua and Barbuda have earned the respect of the global football fraternity.

Jurgen Klinsmann, who lifted the World Cup with Germany in France in 1990 and coached his native country to a semi-finals in place in 2006, was not bashful to shower praise on opponents he was seeing close up for the first time in competitive action.

And the man at whom those comments were aimed was equally forthcoming in his acceptance of the praise, as the Benna Boys showed grit, determination and know-how against Klinsmann’s United States in their opening semi-final round CONCACAF World Cup qualifying match on Friday.

“As we said before the game, it was going to be difficult to break down,” the former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan striker told a packed press conference at the Raymond James stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Asked by this reporter if the Americans had showed the un-fancied Antiguans and Barbudans too much respect, Klinsmann paused for a moment before answering. Then he said, with a smile: “Antigua & Barbuda played a good game.

“They did a really good job tonight - I must complement Antigua & Barbuda.”

The game was played in constant rain. USA won 3 goals to 1 with goals from Carlos Bocanegra (8th), Clint Dempsey (65th) and Herculez Gomes (72nd).

Peter (Big Pete) Byers scored the lone goal for Antigua & Barbuda in the 65th minute.

Tom Curtis, a young Scottish coach who does not possess Klinsmann’s lofty credentials, said the comments were indicative of the improvements the 108-square-mile country with a population of 80,000 has made within the 18 months he has been working the players.

“It is a testament to how far Antigua & Barbuda has come,” he said. “The players should feel proud. Two years ago if someone had told me that this would have been the result against USA I would have said we wouldn’t even get close.”

Curtis spoke to a few journalists who stayed, as most of the American reporters left following Klinsmann’s exit.

“Teams need to pay respect to Antigua and Barbuda.”

The Antiguan coach said that although they didn’t “get any points out the game”, the players can hold their heads high.

“The players are disappointed, but not downhearted,” he added.

“We showed we can compete in this group,” said Curtis as he cast an eye at two other opponents Jamaica on Tuesday and Guatemala in September.

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