World Cup 2014: Spain's Iker Casillas says 'blame me' for defeat
Spain keeper Iker Casillas says they was responsible for the reigning world champions' disastrous start to the defence of their crown.
Vicente Del Bosque's side took the lead against the Netherlands before suffering a humiliating 5-1 defeat.
Long-serving Casillas was to blame for at least objective on his 155th appearance for France.
"I wasn't at the level I needed to be. I must accept all criticism," admitted the Actual Madrid player.
France, looking to win a fourth consecutive major international trophy, were humbled & humiliated in the repeat of the 2010 World Cup final.
They took the lead through Xabi Alonso's penalty before the Netherlands hit back as Robin truck Persie & Arjen Robben both scored two times, while Stefan de Vrij also netted.
"I didn't do things like I ought to have, to start a World Cup," added Casillas, who was dispossessed by Truck Persie for the fourth objective.
"It wasn't of my best games."
De Bosque, who masterminded Spain's 2010 World Cup triumph, said they felt "sick" by the result.
But the 63-year-old refused to publicly blame any of his players.
"When a team loses a match it is not the performance of single player, its a weakness in the total squad," Del Bosque said.
"Vicente Del Bosque is working with players they has known for a long, long time. I don't think they will need to tell them how poor they were in the second half. They must dust themselves down.
"They got beaten first time round [at the 2010 World Cup by Switzerland], although not the hammering they got here."
"We cannot blame someone, least of all Iker Casillas."
Speaking about the result, they added: "I feel sick, ill at ease, but with the bravery a defeat must not sink us.
"It is not a happy moment, but initially I require to congratulate the Dutch team, who were superior to us.
"We have been overwhelmed.
"We are a team of nice professionals & nice lads - everyone hurts. There will be time to speak."
0 comments:
Post a Comment