Gelson Fernandes described his goal for Switzerland in their shock World Cup win over Spain as the best of his career but was so tired he missed out on the team’s post-game celebrations.
The midfielder, who is of Cape Verdean descent, seemed reluctant to be cast in the role of Swiss hero at a news conference yesterday following Wednesday night’s win.
“It wasn’t the nicest goal I’ve scored, but the best of my career. I don’t score much, though. It was a good feeling to see the ball go in the net and we deserve it in a way because we worked hard, we ran a lot,” he said.
PHOTO: EPA
“It is memorable to score against as good a team as the Spanish, because they have so many players of world class quality,” he said.
Fernandes said he had missed the post-match celebrations in the changing room and bus after the match in Durban because he had to go for a doping test.
“When I got to the plane I was too tired,” he said.
The Swiss flew back after their victory on Wednesday to their headquarters at a casino resort, some 90km south of Johannesburg.
It was only Fernandes’ second goal in 24 internationals and he said it was a stroke of good fortune he was on hand to tap in the ball after Eren Derdiyok’s surging 52nd-minute run was halted by a combination of Iker Casillas and Gerard Pique.
“To be fair, I’m not used to scoring goals, so I was a bit surprised,” Fernandes said. “It was a bit of luck.”
Swiss coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said Fernandes forced his way into the World Cup squad with good performances in the qualification matches he played in.
Since then, he has developed into a key member of the tightly organized team.
“Fernandes hopped onto the bandwagon very late — but he’s shown great form,” Hitzfeld said. “He’s a very valuable player — you just love them. He plays in many positions and motivates his teammates.”
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