October 26, 2004
Scott O’Donell
cut a despondent figure after his side’s heartbreaking 1-0 loss to
While his team enjoyed the lion’s
share of possession against the Syrians, they were unable to find a response to
Moussa Traore’s winner,
which sent the
The Australian said he is gutted with
the loss & it is disappointing to have got so close to the final but extremely
proud of the way the boys played. He really could not ask anything more of the
players because they played very well. Unfortunately, one lapse of
concentration during the match proved costly in the end. Also
credit to Al Wahda. They are a very good team &
they have proved that by reaching the final.
Indeed it was a terrible lapse of concentration
as the Syrian player Iyad Mandou was surrounded by
Eagles yet nobody put a foot in before he make that
killer pass to his team-mates.
Defender Jerry Bartholomeusz
put his hand up to admit the players should have cut out the pass but he
himself one of those guarding Iyad Mandou did not
expect him to be that quick. He knows though it was no excuse & he was at
fault along with other
Then should O’Donell
questioned Al Wahda tactics?
O'Donell declined to tip his hat in that direction refusing
to slate the Syrians for their constant time-wasting, a series of playacting &
several bruising tackles. He said that is professional football. If we were
leading, we probably have done the same.
Overall Scott O’Donell
is delighted with Eagles & Protectors name in the history book by reaching
the AF Cup semi-final, the furthest any Singaporean club has been in
an Asian club championship.
He said he believe they have enhanced their
reputation with AFC Cup performance as they worked hard & did the club
proud by reaching the semi-final.