| HIDDINK: WHY SHOULD A TEAM THAT WON PANIC?
The head coach of the Russian national team Guus
Hiddink gave an interview to Sport Express yesterday.
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Guus Hiddink Photo SPORT EXPRESS
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"I would be insincere if I denied that the goal conceded
at the last minutes of the match disappointed me," commented the
Dutch specialist. "Not only we had a 2:0 margin but we could score
a third goal."
"And 3:0 would make it obvious who was going to South Africa in 2010.
Though a two-goal edge would also be good before the return leg in Maribor.
It is always a luxury to score a goal for a guest team."
"But on the other hand we should not go into another extreme - and
give a drama out of this situation. Why should we panic? After all we
won the first leg, but not lost or tied it."
"Why should our army flee or ground arms when we won the first part
of the battle. The second part will be very difficult, no one argues it."
"But we proved once more that we could score against any opponent
no matter how fewer they conceded at the group stage. Or how strong the
opponent is and how big is his stadium - after all we scored against Germany
last autumn."
"Two balls in the net of one of the most safe and reliable team in
Europe in terms of defence should on the contrary give us confidence that
we would be able to do it once more in Maribor."
"When I substituted Semak for Bystrov I meant that we must score
the third goal. Slovenians rushed forward leaving some holes and the speed
of Bystrov could be very useful."
"But unfortunately Vladimir was not fresh in this match. He failed
to do what was required of him and that disappointed. Taking into account
training sessions it was clear that his form leaved much to be desired.
But Bystrov is such a player that always says he is ready. Hearing such
confident words you start hoping that this is true."
"I decided that Bilyaletdinov would appear in the starting squad
even before we started preparation to the match against Slovenia."
"The matches of the English Premier League hardened him in battles.
I was also impressed with his game against Azerbaijan though on the position
of the wing back."
"Moreover Bill is a really stylish player. And to tell the truth
after Azerbaijan I had no doubts that he would appear in the starting
eleven. His work at the trainings only proved my decision was right."
"People are growing up. And Bilyaletdinov is becoming a real man.
To my mind people in Russia underestimated him till now."
"Usually left-footed players have problems with their right leg.
But Diniyar scored both goals with his right one. I would not call him
a two-footed footballer but he proved that he could do wonderful things
with the right leg as well."
Sport
Express Daily, 16 Nov 2009
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