Beijing time on June 24, in the third round of the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in a showdown, Scotland 0-1 defeated Hungary, regrettable loss. After the match, Scotland's manager Steve Clarke accepted the media interview, reflected deeply on the result of the match, and expressed his firm confidence in the team's future.
Commenting on the result, Clarke said, "It was a game that was decided by one goal. We had the better of the ball in the first half and had enough time to control the tempo, but unfortunately we didn't create enough chances to break through. As the game entered the final stages, we created some chances but failed to calmly put the ball into the net. After a defeat like that, it does take some time to digest and think and figure out why the game went the way it did."
Speaking about the fight for victory, Clarke said, "When we try to open up the game, there are always some holes exposed on the counter-attack, nevertheless, we created some chances. However, under the pressure of wanting to win the game, we may have looked too impatient in front of our chances. Tonight, luck was not on our side."
On Scotland's current situation, Clarke admits, "Football is a brutal sport. I have been in this field long enough to know that. We have to endure this cruelty together, not only the team but the Scottish people who support us. We are all going through the same pain but it is important that we learn to lick our wounds, regroup and get going again."
