Wearside, England — Coventry City sabi say dem don suffer heartache after dem lose championship play-off semi-final to Sunderland in last-gasp style. Dan Ballard header for Sunderland in the 122nd minute of extra-time end dem match 1-1, giving Sunderland 3-2 for aggregate and a place for Wembley final against Sheffield United on May 24.
Coventry manager Frank Lampard don talk say na one of the most cruel moment for im career. After the match, he express pride for im players despite di loss. “We dominate di game for large parts and we come here with bravery. We no deserve dis loss,” Lampar say for Sky Sports.
The Sky Blues seemed to be on their way to Wembley as dem held Sunderland at bay for most of the match. Lampard acknowledge say Sunderland take di chances and dat dem “showed spirit, hunger, and desire” to win, but he still get disappointment for di result.
“No be bitterness; we play well over di two legs. I dey proud of how far we don come, from 17th in di league to this semi-final,” Lampar add.
Sunderland coach Regis Le Bris also express gratitude for di victory and promise say dem go focus for di upcoming Wembley showdown. “Now we fit enjoy and recover,” he talk, after ensuring di team go play dey own football at Wembley.
Ballard’s dramatic last-second goal had fans at di Stadium of Light in pandemonium. “It’s wetin dreams dey made of, we are so happy. We go celebrate dis moment,” Ballard talk. He describe di goal as something he can’t even remember clearly because e just happen in a flash.
Teammate Luke O’Nien noted di pressure but also praise Coventry for dere performance. “Dem come hard. E go tough but it was a fantastic tie. Respect to Coventry,” O’Nien share.
Di match remind Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips about di unpredictability of football, noting say even if Sunderland no dominate, di end justify di means. “It’s ironic say Coventry get the most goals from set plays dis season, but na di set-play cost dem. Football be like dat,” he state.
With Coventry now done for di season, di team fit recharge and refocus as dem look ahead to next season. Fans and coaching staff remain hopeful, knowing di players give all dem get despite di disappointment of di night.
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