Greece manager Gus Poyet was less-than-enthusiastic about his side’s 2-0 win against New Zealand, saying it was a “difficult game”.
At his post-match press conference, Poyet said it had been difficult for his players in the conditions.
“The pitch, the empty stadium … the game on Tuesday (was) in the back of the head of every player so it was, they say, was not the best game we play.”
Greece play France on Wednesday (NZT) in the EUFA Euro qualifiers.
“Taking the win … that is always important, getting back to winning ways (and) not conceding the goal and most importantly, the togetherness of the team, the happiness of everybody,” Poyet said.
Poyet said it was also good for veteran Georgios Tzavelas to earn his 50th cap.
Tzavelas (35) came off the bench in stoppage time and took the captain’s armband for final whistle, before announcing his retirement from international football.
Poyet was reluctant to analyse the match.
“I cannot really analyze too much the game. tactically or technically. It wouldn’t be fair — I was a football player and I play these games and I know, even if you don’t believe me, how difficult it is to have that connection of the same mentality, (the) same level of concentration in a situation like today.”
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Watch Gus Poyet’s media conference
Result
Game played on Saturday November 18, 2023 (NZT)
Georgios Kamaras Stadium, Athens, Greece, 6am (NZT)
Greece 2 (Giannis Konstantelias 10′, Georgios Giakoumakis 29′)
New Zealand 0
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