7 hours ago
20
Kostas Tsimikas dedicated his goal in Greece's World Cup qualifier against Scotland to two of his late former teammates.
The left-back opened the scoring at Hampden Park on Thursday but ended up on the losing side as Scotland hit back with three goals without reply.
Tsimikas has lost two of his teammates over the last 12 months: Greece international George Baldock was discovered dead in his swimming pool last October, while Diogo Jota died in a car crash three months ago.
Speaking after Greece's defeat in Glasgow, Tsimikas said: "The goal I scored is dedicated to my close friend, Diogo Jota, of course to [late Greece teammate George] Baldock, and also to those who are no longer with us."
On the game itself, Tsimikas said: “There is disappointment. We lost the game through our own hands. We quickly accepted the equalizer and it took us from under us. Football is unfair and is judged on the details.
"We knew that Scotland is strong in the goal and we should have been more careful in these phases. But everything is in the game and we have to accept what happened.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool confirmed this week that supporters have raised more than £225,000 ($300,000) to help fund a grassroots soccer programme in honour of Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who also died in the crash in July.
A club statement said: "Since the brothers’ devastating passing in July, fans have paid tribute by having Diogo’s name printed on the back of their shirts or by purchasing commemorative T-shirts from club stores.
"All profits have gone to LFC Foundation, the club’s official charity, which is committed to creating a grassroots football programme in Diogo’s name.
"So far, a total of £226,995 has been raised, which will go directly to establishing and maintaining the community programme, with further details to be shared in due course.
"Liverpool FC will create other permanent tributes, with the thousands of floral tributes left at Anfield to be composted and used in flower beds across all club sites, including Anfield, the AXA Training Centre and AXA Melwood Training Centre.
"The remaining artefacts will be recycled by a specialist company and used to help create a permanent memorial sculpture that will become a future focal point of remembrance at Anfield.
"A temporary area of reflection remains at the stadium so that visitors can continue to pay their respects."
English (US) ·