Sport
Landesberg: It was just not our day but I am so proud
Manager Andy Landesberg was in defiant mood after his Team Maccabi GB Open footballers failed to strike gold in their much-awaited Maccabiah Games final against the USA.
July 20, 2017 13:30
Manager Andy Landesberg was in defiant mood after his Team Maccabi GB Open footballers failed to strike gold in their much-awaited Maccabiah Games final against the USA.
July 20, 2017 13:30Landesberg’s boys crashed 3-0 to the Americans after having Max Kyte sent off after just 22 minutes following a late challenge on the opposition goalkeeper who had spilled a shot.
“Was I disappointed? Yes I am always disappointed not to win, but it was just not our day,” said Landesberg.
“It was very difficult going down to 10 men so early on. Was it a sending off? You can argue the fors and againsts all day, but if the ref shows a red, it is a sending off.”
Despite missing some early chances, the 10-men fought hard to keep the US attack at bay, but eventually went 1-0 down in the first-half to the first goal of a Jake Rozhansky hat-trick.
Five minutes into the second half Rozhansky fired home his second and on the 80th minute it was game over for GB as the American striker added his third.
But Landesberg said: “It was a tough tournament from the start, but you can’t blame the conditions. It was the same for everyone.
“It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and I am very proud of my team. Everyone was fantastic. They followed the game-plan and in reaching the final at one stage we played four games in five days.”
Landesberg was reluctant to pick out star performances, but some players did deserve a mention.
“Centre-half Tom Smith and right back Jake Risler were both outstanding, while Mitch Hahn was superb in his role as captain,” he said. "Best match performance? “I would say our group game against the USA when we beat them 1-0,” said Landesberg.
So it was silver again for the GB team, adding to the one they netted eight years ago. The 56-year wait for a gold in this tournament goes on.
And Landesberg would love to be the man to take up the challenge. “If they would give me the chance, I would just love to go back and finish the job,” he said.
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