2017 U17 WORLD CUP | ENGLAND 5-2 SPAIN
Spain U17 coach Santi Denia "heartbroken" after final defeat
"I'm more than proud of my players, and of the work we have done over the past two years which means more than today's result", the coach said after the 5-2 defeat to England.
Santi Denia said that watching his Spain side surrender a two-goal lead to lose today's U17 World Cup final 5-2 to England leaves him "heartbroken" but the coach says there is cause to be optimistic about the future.
England's fightback: "Once we were 0-2 up, our hopes were built up that we could maintain the score and win the game. England stepped up their pressing and that forced us to lose our shape. I have to say that England are particularly good at doing that".
Danger from both wings: "England attack a lot from both wings but especially from the left because on the right, Phil Foden tends to drift inside. We had prepared to be tight as a unit in this game and to ensure that both of our full-backs were given support. The thing is, you can't just block England's route down the flanks because they are also good playing through the middle. Against that, you need to defend as one and I think in the first half we were a little better at doing that".
"I couldn't be more proud of the team" - Santi Denia
Overview of the tournament: "I'm heartbroken for the lads. I am more than proud of them, and of the work they've been doing over the past two years - which means more than today's result. It's a final and the level is very high. I do think that I have managed to put a decent team together, they've been European champions and now they're World Cup runners up. I couldn't be more proud of them, as a coach, I feel replete. I've turned them into a team, a united group and that's the most important thing. Whether you win or lose, finals are always difficult.
"The first goal really hurt us. When they upped their game and we were able to hit balls over their back four, our movement and breaking was good and we created chances. In the second half, the message was to not drop deep, to maintain control of the game until England left us spaces to exploit. But we were up against a great rival, deserved winners and we have to congratulate them. My team did what they had to do up until the third goal. After that it was gave over.
Spain coach praise for City's Foden
Phil Foden: "He's got a great future ahead of him. I hope he continues to follow the path he is on within the team. We tried to defend as a team against him but he's a very good player, he was always creating danger and put in a great game".
Heavy defeat: "In the Euros, they were beating us until we levelled in stoppage time. We are two great sides. Today, England had the edge over us in the physical side too".