Bruno delighted with Senegal win

Senegal coach Bruno Metsu admitted it had been a ‘‘crazy game’’ after they beat Sweden on a golden goal to become only the second ever African team to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

Bruno delighted with Senegal win

Senegal coach Bruno Metsu admitted it had been a ‘‘crazy game’’ after they beat Sweden on a golden goal to become only the second ever African team to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

Henri Camara was the Senegalese hero with the winner in the 14th minute of extra time after he had earlier cancelled out the opener from Celtic’s Henrik Larsson.

Frenchman Metsu said: ‘‘It was a crazy game and I am sure the spectators would have loved it.

‘‘We had a difficult start with Sweden scoring the first goal, and they are a very strong team after coming through a group including England and Argentina.

‘‘However they were the ones who tired the most after that and I am very happy to have beaten a good Sweden team.’’

After matching the feat of Cameroon at Italia 90, Senegal will play either Turkey or Japan in the last eight, with Metsu possibly coming up against fellow Frenchman Philippe Troussier, coach of the co-hosts.

And Metsu admitted he would relish a clash against Japan.

‘‘We would be very happy to play Japan in Japan - that would be a very big match but also very tricky,’’ he said. ‘‘Both sides would be tough though as both are strong.

‘‘However we are in the quarter-finals now and we want to go further.’’

Sweden joint-coach Lars Lagerback and his players felt deflated after such a dramatic defeat.

‘‘The World Cup is only every four years so we really feel empty after a match like this,’’ he said.

‘‘In the second half and after 90 minutes I thought we played well and we had some good goalscoring chances.

‘‘It was tough to lose in this way rather than to get beaten 2-0 after 90 minutes.

‘‘After half-time we came into it more and more and it is difficult when you put in so much effort.’’

Lagerback praised the Senegal players for their historic effort.

‘‘We must congratulate them,’’ he said. ‘‘They are very physical, very strong and good footballers.

‘‘But I thought we were at least as good as them today.’’

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