Puyol (left) reflected on 'bittersweet' finals (Allsport)
PUYOL HAS MIXED FEELINGS
By PA Sport Staff
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Barcelona defender Carles Puyol is one of the
few members of Spain's national team who is drawing on the positives from a
World Cup which was ruined for his country by dubious refereeing.
Puyol, a right back, added speed and strength to a defence which many thought
would struggle to cope with pacey opponents.
Tributes for his performances have been drowned out by a universal outcry
about the perfectly legitimate goals which were disallowed in normal, and extra
time against Korea.
The co-hosts sent the Spaniards home in a heartbreaking penalty shootout.
"I am pleased with the World Cup experience, but I didn't expect it to end as
it did," Puyol said. "It is a bittersweet experience.
"When I got to Korea, I thought we could do something important, but I didn't
think we'd have to come home because of the referee. We were better than Korea
and they didn't beat us in penalties because they were better than us."
"We deserved to be in the semi-finals."
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