Disappointed with the defeat but not worried about the rest of the season, Carnejy Antoine defended Ahmed Kantari after the home defeat against Bourg-en-Bresse (1-2), this Saturday evening. The VAFC coach was targeted by chants calling for his resignation and finds himself increasingly challenged.
Disappointment prevails after Bourg-en-Bresse
“In the locker room, we are all disappointed with this result. We wanted to materialize this point won in Boulogne with a victory this evening. Our first 10-15 minutes, we didn't get into the match. What caused this, I don't know. We had game intentions, we had worked well this week. We had a much better second half. Unfortunately, we take this second goal. We are clearly disappointed. »
A dominated match but a defeat for the VAFC
“We don't have many big chances, but we spend most of the time in their camp. If I'm not mistaken, they have two strikes and two goals. We have quite a few shares. We are disappointed, but the championship is still long and the National is not easy for everyone. We know that we will have to work again tomorrow morning at the club to compensate for this defeat. »
Carnejy Antoine becomes one with Ahmed Kantari
“I understand the disappointment of the supporters, we are disappointed too. But where I don't agree with them is on the strong words against the staff, against our coach (“Kantari, resignation”, editor’s note). We must not forget that the coach and the staff work extremely hard all week. We also work a lot. The coach puts things in place, but we are the actors. If we really have to shout at someone, it's not at the staff, it's at the players because we are the actors. I understand their disappointment, but not necessarily their cries. Above all, you must not have the wrong enemy. The enemy is always the adversary. We are a family. When I signed here, I knew that I was signing into a big family, both with the supporters and with the team. So don't forget that we are a family and that we need everyone to be able to move forward and play at the top of the table. »
The increasingly controversial public
“Nothing is simple in National. At the time, my first year, we had Villefranche which was 18th in December. At the end of the championship, they finished third and played the play-off against Niort. This proves that this championship is very difficult. There is nothing to throw away. Today, we are two points from second place, four points from first. Of course, we lost points. Of course, we are disappointed. We are aware of the situation, we players, the staff, because we are a family. But there is nothing to throw away, we must not give up and even less shout this kind of thing. Although, as I told you, I understand your disappointment. But don't make the wrong enemy. It's always the opponent and we will need you to be able to react very quickly. »
Extenuating circumstances and proof of work
“There are still quite a few absentees. Unfortunately I will have to add to the list. I felt a pinch in my ischio, I couldn't sprint. I knew I was going to be a liability to the team, so I requested the change immediately. It also proves that we give our all. If it blows, it doesn't blow by chance. In training, it's the same thing. My point of view, and I think it is that of the team, is that we should not be alarmed. We need everyone, we're going to put the heat on again tomorrow. We have a cup match (against Arras) which we will go for, and then QRM where we will do the work. We talked in the locker room, the coach also spoke. I think today, quite a few players have become aware of the club's objective, and that's very good.
We will not give up, the staff will not give up, the team will not give up, and I also hope that the supporters will not give up because we really need you.
We must compensate for injured players, there are young people with whom we must be lenient. They are not used to this championship. When you go from the reserve to the first team, it's a step. It's up to us, the elders, to help them. You don't have to throw everything away, there are good things. OK, we missed our first half, no worries. The second was much better, unfortunately we conceded this goal. We're taking stock, we're going to do our self-criticism tomorrow morning. We will return to the field and work. If we have to throw stones at someone, it's us, the players, because we're the actors. Today you are screaming. But if at the end of the season we finish first, we will all be happy. We will not give up, the staff will not give up, the team will not give up, and I also hope that the supporters will not give up because we really need you. »
The VAFC still in the game?
“I don't trust the ranking too much because at the moment, it doesn't mean anything. We have never seen a National team last in first place. There is no need to be alarmed. We, the players, must be alarmed so that we become aware of the situation, of the need to wake up because we are letting points slip away. Afterwards, about the season, we should not be alarmed. As someone who knows this championship well, I remain calm and I have confidence in the players and the staff. We will soon celebrate great victories, believe me. »
Source : VAFC
Photo credits: VAFC Médias
