Head coach Emerse Fae admitted his frustration after Cote d’Ivoire’s narrow 2-1 defeat to Germany, but insisted the Elephants still have their fate in their own hands in the race for a place in the next round, www.aclsports.com reports.
Germany booked their place in the knockout stage for the first time since 2014, coming from behind to beat Ivory Coast in their Group E clash in Toronto, inspired by a brace from in-form striker Deniz Undav. The Ivorians had struck first against the run of play in the opening half through Franck Kessie.
“It’s more frustration that we’re feeling after this defeat, because we were able to open the score against this strong German side,” Fae told reporters after the game.
“A difference in experience that meant in the chances that we did have at the end of the game, where we needed to find the back of the net, we were hesitant,” the tactician added.
However, the Ivorian coach was quick to move past the defeat to Germany, stressing that he was pleased with his side’s overall display.
“We’re going to use this game as a lesson to try and fine-tune the mistakes, our shortcomings that we still have, and that will help us go as far as possible,” he said.
“Our destiny is still in our hands, or our feet,” Fae concluded on the challenge of facing Curacao next to see “what they are made of” and was expecting a strong fight.
