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Gambia: We Deserved the Defeat... Says Jatto Ceesay

Jatto Ceesay, the Scorpions' captain and one of Gambia's influential foreign-based players, has admitted that the Scorpions unarguably deserved Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to Syli Nationale of Guinea in their Group Eight of the 2008 Nations Cup qualifying campaign. Ceesay said his team-mates deserved every stick they receive from the public for the setback.

The Cyprus-based player made these remarks during an interview with Peter Gomez, anchorman of the popular Sports File show on Monday.

According to him, nobody should hold the administrators or coaches responsible for the setback simply because they were not on the pitch to kick the ball but the players.

Ceesay who said the Scorpions were good in the first interval, believes lack of team-work contributed to their bitter defeat. "As a professional player, the first things you are taught are team-work and respect for the game. It's hard to succeed without adapting to these rules", he said.

Ceesay also ruled out late preparation as a likely cause for Saturday's defeat, as according to him, professional players can gather even two days before a game and yet deliver.

Ceesay who did not hide his disappointment and shock at the negative result also paid tribute to the home-based players for their determination. He urged the football association to consider the home-based players who are young, determined and hungry for victory as opposed to some of the professionals players who may not bother.