BOSTON, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz said his team executed a clear plan "to frustrate England" in its 0-0 World Cup Group L draw here on Tuesday.
"The plan was to block them and frustrate them from the first minute to halftime - and we did exactly that," Queiroz said at the post-match press conference.
"At the end of the first half, England were completely frustrated," he said. "They had no solutions, not their usual ways to win matches."
"We blocked them on set pieces, long crosses, wing attacks and runs in behind," he added. "My players showed full concentration, determination and fighting spirit."
The 73-year-old Portuguese is appearing at his fifth World Cup and his first with Ghana.
The Three Lions, who defeated Croatia 4-2 in their opening Group L game, could not find a way past a Ghana side ranked 65th by FIFA, though they outshot Ghana 18-2.
"Football is not only tactics and technique," Queiroz said. "It is also bravery, courage, determination and intelligence. They were better in football, we were better in fighting spirit."
"In the second half we started to control the game more and more," he said. "Their frustration continued, and we created our own chances, while they also had some."
"In the end, I think we deserved the draw," he said. "They had more of the ball; we fought more. The draw was a fair result for both teams."
Asked about England's possession, Queiroz said: "Possession is not football. I've seen teams with 80 percent of the ball and no win. Football is also intelligence and strategy."
"We know England are one of the candidates to win the World Cup," he said. "But we are not here to walk or let them have fun at our expense."
"We are here to play football and get points," he added. "I'm not here to play like a clown. We got a point against a team that can win the tournament."
Ghana and England are now level on four points in Group L.
"With four points, we have not won anything yet," Queiroz said. "Our main goal is to reach the second round. We must keep going and stay focused." ■
