| HIDDINK: CAN RESPOND WITH GOAL IN ANY SITUATION
The head coach of the Russian national team Guus
Hiddink eyes the decisive match of the World Cup-2010 play-offs against
Slovenia to be held today.
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Guus Hiddink Photo SPORT EXPRESS
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"After the analysis we came to a decision that the
first match we started not very well on some positions," said the
Dutch specialist.
"In the first 5-6 minutes our team failed to 'grip by the throat'
Slovenia the way we planned. Slovenians had the chance to play rather
easily - though they did not actually created anything dangerous at our
goal but could freely possess the ball."
"That is why we introduced some changes and the match and it went
to a more favourable plan that led to the goal of Bilyaletdinov."
"After the break we controlled the game. Having duly scored our second
goal the team could count on still another in terms of the quality of
the game: we had good chances."
"At the end of the match the opponent risked and it could be easily
predicted. That is why our retrieve was a normal reaction - but actually
I expected more of our counterattacking actions."
"As a result we got a goal and moreover could have ended with a tie
if it had not been for Akinfeev who played wonderfully."
"And though after such a match you feel defeated actually you won.
Of course the margin is minimal but it exists."
"So firstly we won and secondly we showed good offensive play and
controlled the game fully."
"I do not regret about any substitutions I made in the first match.
We were sure that Bystrov could kill the opponent scoring more. And the
target was right. But we failed to achieve it."
"Some people think that 2:1 is even better than 2:0 for we will be
more concentrated. But believe me I would have hammer it home and they
would understand this for themselves that the early conceded goal changes
the situation completely."
"But I feel that the team is self-confident despite the conceded
goal. Nobody forgot that at 2:0 we could have increased the advantage."
"On Saturday everybody was disappointed. And that is wonderful for
it shows how not indifferent people in the team are. This situation is
absolutely different from what was in the team several years ago. And
I like it."
"Football is a sport, an unpredictable kind of sport. So I cannot
be absolutely confident in the victory. But what we have is self-confidence."
"We know that both in a good or bad situation we have the power to
pull together and respond. Respond with a goal."
Sport
Express Daily, 18 Nov 2009
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