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FIFA World Cup
Having seen his side create history by claiming their first ever FIFA World Cup point in a 1-1 draw with Switzerland just days earlier, it all unravelled in Vancouver.
Not only were Qatar reduced to nine men, Canada's Ismael Kone suffered a broken leg following a tackle from Assim Madibo, which led to the latter being sent off.
Not only were Qatar reduced to nine men, Canada's Ismael Kone suffered a broken leg following a tackle from Assim Madibo, which led to the latter being sent off.
"I want to wish all the best to Kone, that he can recover as quickly as possible. This is the main thing, that's why I wish all the best for him.
"It was an accident, what happened. I am sure that Assim did not want to make this injury," said Lopetegui, with Canada confirming that the midfielder will miss the remainder of their campaign after undergoing surgery.
"It was an accident, what happened. I am sure that Assim did not want to make this injury," said Lopetegui, with Canada confirming that the midfielder will miss the remainder of their campaign after undergoing surgery.
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Lopetegui offered no excuses for the defeat, which saw Canada racing to a 3-0 lead at the break, with Qatar having lost Homam El Amin to the red card in the 33rd minute.
"They are a strong team physically and they have fast players. They scored very fast, there was one key moment where everything that can go wrong, happened. After we suffered the first goal, it was very difficult. After they shoot three times, they score twice, and they have big quality in the strikers.
"After the red card, it was different. It was a very tough match for us and the players, they did their best. It was very, very difficult to face this match with two players less, in this environment, against this team in a World Cup."
"They are a strong team physically and they have fast players. They scored very fast, there was one key moment where everything that can go wrong, happened. After we suffered the first goal, it was very difficult. After they shoot three times, they score twice, and they have big quality in the strikers.
"After the red card, it was different. It was a very tough match for us and the players, they did their best. It was very, very difficult to face this match with two players less, in this environment, against this team in a World Cup."
Despite the defeat, Qatar still have a chance to progress and Lopetegui said he would work on getting his players ready for the clash against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
"I can put the focus on the only thing that is under my control, (which) is to recover my players, to tell them that they made a big effort, despite all the circumstances, and to be able to face in the best way possible the last group match.
"When we drew against Switzerland, I was not in the sky, I was balanced. And today, too, I have to analyse the match to take the right decisions for the next match, to be able to recover the players as soon as possible," Lopetegui said.
Qatar play Bosnia-Herzegovina Wednesday.
Photos: AFP
"I can put the focus on the only thing that is under my control, (which) is to recover my players, to tell them that they made a big effort, despite all the circumstances, and to be able to face in the best way possible the last group match.
"When we drew against Switzerland, I was not in the sky, I was balanced. And today, too, I have to analyse the match to take the right decisions for the next match, to be able to recover the players as soon as possible," Lopetegui said.
Qatar play Bosnia-Herzegovina Wednesday.
Photos: AFP
