MOLDOVA – SLOVENIA
Group D
January 9th, 2017; Saint Petersburg, St. Petersburg Sports and Concert Complex, 300 spectators
Best players: Postica, Hodžič
Post match comments
Oleg Fistican, Head coach of team Moldova:
– We had a strong opponent today, who had good possession. We managed to execute our game plan today. We were fighting for each ball, and these were fair duels. Our guys were playing football respecting their counterparts, just like I asked them to. We’ve had a lot of scoring chances even though the final score is 0-0. The game was just like a swing and I think the side to score first would have won it.
– How long have you been working with this team? And how long have you been preparing for this tournament?
– We’ve spent two weeks preparing.
– Why have you made a return substitution of №4?
– I will ask him, as I don’t know (smiling). This new player was new to me. We had certain tasks, and I saw he did not understand the plan right. So I had to balance the game, substituting him.
– There’s a popular expression in football now – “to put a bus”. As a coach, whether you like such a style or do you prefer attacking football?
– To play offensively you need to be very well physically fit. We have potential, but we lacked time to prepare properly. Let me notice that as a player and as a coach I was always playing focusing on attack. You need time to build such a strategy and to get the players understand it well.
– How do you find the team after your predecessor?
– Yes, I am happy with the team. As I said, we have potential that we didn’t manage to uncover yet. I am glad with fast attacks the team showed today, but again you need time to adapt to playing in other style when the opponent is back in defense.
– Your goalkeeper was great today. Where was he forming as a goalkeeper?
– When we gathered before the New Year we did not have many goalkeepers. In fact we called for this guy only December 28th. He’s playing in the first league for the adult team, and we’ll try to develop his skills more. This is our goal – to help players like him progress faster.
– How do you like the draw and the fact that you got into one of the strongest groups on this tournament? Is it a positive or a negative factor?
– It’s clear, the priority is behind the host team of the tournament, but we shall try to play football and gain experience on this tournament.
Igor Benedejčič, Head coach of team Slovenia:
– I am happy to greet everyone here. It’s our third time here, and, please, let me thank you for continuous invitations. The match was difficult for us today since the opponent played well defensively and we were not able to score. We hope to show our best in next games.
– We are used to seeing numbers of players “corresponding’ to their roles on the pitch. For instance, №2 usually plays in defense and №10 – in attack. But it’s different in your team. №2 was playing high on the wing whereas №10 was playing in defense. Is this an accident?
– It was the players who chose their numbers, and they were taking into account numbers they had in their clubs. For example, №2 is a more offensive player, while №10 is a universal player, and he moved “higher” to play in the center in the second half. Normally he plays in defense in his club, but he’s got experience playing in midfield as well.
– How long have you been working with this team? And how long have you been preparing for this tournament?
– We had four days for preparations. I got acquainted with the players just recently, and this was еру first match where I saw them in action. I can say I am satisfied.
– Can you say that you started playing more on the wings compared to last year?
– In fact, it was the opponent that forced us to use this tactics as we had to use wings to get through their defense.
– How do you like the draw and the fact that you got into one of the strongest groups on this tournament? Is it a positive or a negative factor?
– We came to this tournament to play six games regardless the opponents. Their level is not that important.
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