Berti Vogts: Our footballers have to learn to play in high speed
The head coach of Azerbaijani football team Berti Vogts came back to native land yesterday. German specialist gave an interview to azerisport before going to airport. He called Russian fan’s behaviour – criminal and said about competition within team.
“I said to Abbasov: Keep the ball, don’t kick at once.”
The match against Russian team completed one day ago. How can you comment last game of qualifying cycle of World championship-2010?
We showed beautiful game against strong opponent. I saw Russian’s matches in European championship against strong teams last year. We didn’t give them to show their play. We were deserved this drawn game. Russian team goalkeeper played very good and saved his goal from three dangerous moments in second half. I liked that after their goal guys were not upset. They also were good in Hannover. Team felt additional trainings which were in gather and fought all 90 minutes. Rashad Sadihov, Sasha Yunisoglu and Elnur Allahverdiyev didn’t play in that gameand young footballers understood it and started to play better.
Qualifying cycle was completed. Azerbaijan gained five points. Are you pleased with this result?
I said that the sum of points doesn’t interests me. We didn’t have a chance to reach World Championship-2010. We could win Wales in Cardiff and Baku and Finns in Lankaran. We could gain more points but absence of experience prevented us. Look at our ex-opponents – Wales and Finland. The players of these teams don’t perform in weak clubs. Our footballers have to learn to play in high speed. We also had to win games with Bahrain, Kuwait and Iran. Look at Bahrain. This team is in play-off and will play with New Zealand. We are in Europe by geography, so, we have to increase our level and speed.
You need to play with Russia every time we want to see such kind of game?
We played the same against Germany, Wales and Finland. Yes,we played not good second half with Liechtenstein. But remember, we wanted to score second goal. We could defense our goal but guys wanted to score more. When it comes to game with Russia we should not only defense but make combinations as well. That’s why I was in touch with Samir Abbasov: “keep the ball don’t kick at once”.
“Russian fans behaviour - is criminal”
Russian fans were very dangerous in the middle of first half. What do you think about it?
They don’t like football. They wanted to break it. Russian fans drop smoking bombs. It is the criminal. FIFA has to punish guests for it. But we also will be punished because it was in our territory.
You work in Azerbaijani team one and a half year. Ifyou have an opportunity to come back to the past, what would you like to change?
Nothing. I came to weak team. Now we have new collective. Did you see how they were happy to goal to Liechtenstein? It was very important for us. Footballers want to be stronger. I talked to Inter FC’s head coach Kahaber Tshadadzeh about Javid Guseynov. I am displeased with his shape now. He has to work more. Javid has strength and speed, so let him work over himself. Why he can’t come on training earlier and train and talk to his coach about his weak point.
