David Pollock believes his Team GB Open football squad ran out of luck in Israel, despite posting a special message at the Wailing Wall before the competition.
Pollock arrived in Israel confident of leading a team to a third consecutive gold medal after masterminding the Masters 45+ to victory four years ago and assisting Ben Winston’s title-winning side at the 2011 European Maccabi Games.
Instead he was left to reflect on what might have been after crashing out against Mexico at the last eight stage in a tournament won by America.
"I'm understandably disappointed not to have progressed further in the competition,” he said after the 2-1 defeat in extra-time.
"I wanted the hat-trick, however I always appreciated that to win, you also need an element of luck.
"We went into the quarter-finals having scored 10 goals in our last three games and only conceding one.
"We felt strong, fit and well prepared. Mexico were an excellent and well-organised outfit, but we went into extra time at 1-1 and felt on top of the game.
"We conceded a penalty and then couldn’t get that elusive equaliser. Mexico had 11 men behind the ball and held out well, but I couldn’t have asked for anymore from the boys or my staff."
Asked if he'd be interested in keeping the post for the 2017 Maccabiah, Pollock replied: "I haven't thought about it yet and have no idea what Maccabi would want either. However, it does feel an awful long time away."
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