Related Articles Tajikistan Stuns U.S. in Opening Match of FIFA U-17 World Cup

Head Coach John Hackworth:
On his initial thoughts about the game:
"Tajikistan is a very good team. For us, we feel like we let the game slip away. It was a great effort by Tajikistan tonight, they came out with a lot of character."

On how the game got away:
"We didn’t manage the match very well at the end. Instead of playing good soccer, we got a little too defensive, a little conservative. I think sometimes with young players they get caught up in the moment."

On how to focus on Tunisia:
"There are still six points out there up for grabs and right now we have to focus on playing two good games back to back. We’ll evaluate how we are physically tomorrow, but otherwise mentally we need to put this one behind us and focus on Tunisia first and foremost, and Belgium after that. It’s not over. There are still six points out there and two games left."

Captain Mykell Bates:
On the team’s mentality:
"Right now we have to look toward the next game against Tunisia and prepare to get three points. We have to put ourselves in a position to get into the knockout stage."