‘I nearly died’ – Maradona misses out on first title as coach

May 7, 2019

Dorados' head coach Diego Maradona walks on the pitch before the final leg match of Mexico's second division soccer league against Atletico San Luis, in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Sunday, May 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

AFP, Mexico :
Diego Maradona’s hopes of winning his first coaching title were dashed Sunday as his Dorados team lost the Mexican second-division finals, along with their shot at promotion.
Rivals Atletico San Luis scored the lone goal of the second leg in extra time to clinch the title and a spot in the first division – the second time they have left Maradona empty-handed in two consecutive finals.
“I nearly died… But it’s fine. I’m sad for my boys, though,” Maradona said after the match.
The Argentine great and his team faced a tough task heading into the second-leg match, having been held 1-1 in the first leg at home in Culiacan, in the northwestern state of Sinaloa.
They managed to hold Atletico to 90 goalless minutes playing away in the central city of San Luis Potosi.
But Spanish defender Unai Bilbao slotted in the winning goal for the home team in the 103rd minute, after Dorados ‘keeper Gaspar Servio failed to clear a free kick.