Match №1

The match № 1, group A, first tournament day

ESTONIA – TAJIKISTAN 2:2 (1:0)

January 24th, 2014, St. Petersburg, Peterburgsky SCC, 200 spectators

Referees: Roman Chernov, Dmitry Safyan, Ilya Yeleferenko

Estonia: Tamme, Elhi (Kukebal, 46), Avilov, Mets, Pikk (Aloe, 46), Lepistu (c), Raudsepp (Tekko, 84), Gussev (Vaelja, 84), Ustaal (Kauber, 46), Kirss (Vashchuk, 69), Martynov (Marin, 69)

Head coach: Martin Reim

Tajikistan: Gadoyboev, Beknazarov, Juraboev, Sharipov F., Ergashev (c) (Tusmatov, 89), Rakhmatov (Tursunov, 81), Saidhoni, Said (Asimov, 63), Abdugafor, Jalilov, Rakhmonov

Head coach: Mahmojon Habibullaev

Goals: Kirss (28), Rakhmatov (47), Vashchuk (73), Rakhmonov (90)

Yellow cards: Sharipov F. (35), Juraboev (68), Abdugafor (89), Lepistu (90)

Best players: Maksim Gussev, Muminjon Gadoyboev

 

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After match comments

Head coach of the team Estonia Martin Reim:

– First I'd like to thank the opponent for the good game and the organizers for the excellent tournament. These competitions are very important for both players and coaches. Today most of my team played officially for the national team for the first time. Analyzing their playing, there were good moments as well as bad. There were possibilities to score more, but our realization is still poor. You see, it's not the score which is now important for me but the frame of the team. We met only yesterday in the train, we didn't even had time to get known to each other. But in the whole, I'm satisfied.

– Team Estonia made us used to its defending playing, but today your players were attacking much –

– You have noted right. You can say it's a new strategy of developing of Estonian football. Our football union has set a goal to control the ball and to show attacking, active football. To show the playing that our supporters enjoy and that brings results. So, today, as we were leading, we could have made substitutions and try to hold the score. But we played to win!

– So you will always play like this?

– We will try. But of course, there are two teams playing, and many actions on the pitch depend on how the opponent allows you to play and attack.

Head coach of the team Tajikistan Mahmojon Habibullaev:

– The first game is always difficult and complicated. Players are still not in the game. The situation became worse for us because of the flue: some players went to the field with a high temperature, some stayed in the hotel for treatment. Yesterday they wore only t-shirts, thought that they were still in Tajikistan so they became sick. Analyzing the game, we have 2 clear problems: absence of the ball control and the mistakes in defense. Anyway, I'm happy that we could save the match, showed strong character. Also I want to thank our fans who came to support our team. They hurried us to go forward. May be it was the main reason that we could level the score in the end.

– From the middle of the second half your players had problems with cramps in their legs. What is the reason?

– Many of my players participate in the tournament of such international level for the first time: high-leveled teams, good speed and game movement – some of them go down. We use this tournament as the preparation for the Asian Games that will be in June. We have time to correct mistakes, in physical conditions also.

– How did you choose the players for your team?

– I did as the other coaches usually do: I called the strongest for this moment. Talking about the team: we have players from professional clubs and from amateurs also. For example, № 9 (Tursunov) plays for university team that participates in town championship. But his level is suitable for the national squad.

– You have made several substitutions in the second half and these certain players made the scoring moment –

– It is the aim of substitutions – to improve playing. I'm happy that I could get the right men.