Disappointed Hernandez rues missed opportunity in Confed Cup semis

Mexico striker Javier Hernandez has expressed his sadness after being thrashed by Germany 4-1 in the FIFA Confederations Cup semi-final here.

"(I feel) sad, disillusioned, but with my head held high and proud of all from team, the coaching staff and the fans," the Bayer Leverkusen striker was quoted as saying by ESPNFC on Thursday.

Mexico finished second in Group A but were not good enough against a second-string German side who were more clinical than their rivals.

Mexico never let the World champions take their foot off the pedal but at the same time were guilty of muffing a hatful of chances.

"If football was about justice, it'd be a different story. That's not to demerit what Germany did or to give an excuse," said the former Manchester United forward on the missed opportunities.

"The only thing in our heads is that we are sad. Nobody wants to lose like that, in a semi. We really wanted to reach the final."

"But that is football," he continued. "We went up against the world champion and it's been useful for Mexican football to know where we are," he added.

Hernandez said Mexico as a side have improved as they are playing European champions Portugal in a third-place clash and that the side did not reach this far four years ago.

"We are playing the European champion in the third-place playoff, which is something we didn't reach four years ago, so something is improving. We're going step by step, it's not night and day," he said.

Germany will take on Copa America winners Chile in the final on Sunday.

--IANS

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