Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella with a dejected Merih Demiral after Friday's World Cup elimination at the hands of Paraguay. [David Gonzales/Reuters]
Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella said he was shocked by the team’s World Cup elimination at the hands of Paraguay on Friday but held nothing against his players after another fruitless night in front of goal.
Turkey failed to overhaul the 10-man South Americans, losing 1-0 despite 32 goal attempts, to crash out with a match to spare.
“We create the opportunities, but somehow the ball doesn’t go in,” Italian Montella told reporters. “The other team gets their moment and scores. It’s really shocking to say goodbye to the World Cup after only two matches.”
Paraguay struck with the fastest goal of the tournament so far when Matias Galarza lashed home from long-range on 64 seconds.
