Thoughts of our team’s head coach Mirko Jelicic after the match against “Kokand-1912”.
– The match went well. In general, it was an even match. I can’t say we played well today. Maybe because of the last match, we lost some pace. We didn’t play football on a bad field then. Maybe the weather today was also a reason. Because several of our players got sick. Due to the cold weather, players from both teams had difficulty breathing. Some of my players had some problems before the match. Even then, my guys worked hard. I thank them. We witnessed an almost even match.
– Were you satisfied with getting 7 points in three matches?
– We got 6 points in the first two games and today we were satisfied with 1 point. Of course, we aim to get three in every game, but this is football and there are difficulties. It would have been better if we had won today, but we drew. Today was not an easy game, both teams fought, so I can say that the draw was fair.
– Lokomotiv was criticized a lot in the first rounds. Experts considered that the first three types of opponents were not very strong and they were lucky to get 7 points. What do you think about the idea that the team’s next game will be against Neftchi and that this match will show the team’s strength?
– All the games in the Super League are difficult now. There are no easy games. The match at Neftchi will be very difficult. We will analyze them. The squad is very strong, 20 players would strengthen any other team. They have a lot of potential. We are going to every game for three points. We are not afraid of anyone and we do not play defensively, we try to play football. Sometimes it seems like it, sometimes it does not go as expected. This game will be a good test for us.
– Thank you for revealing the potential of young players in the squad. What can you say about the game of Kuvonchbek Abrayev, who scored two goals in the first three rounds?
– Kuvonch caught the attention of many last year through his games in the national team. Now it is a little difficult for him to get used to big football. Now it seems that he is taking a step forward. He is training like an adult. He has technique, speed. Now we need to add other qualities to his game. He is gaining confidence in himself through three games, and this is a good thing. It is not only him, but also other young players.
– “Kokand-1912” is an uncomfortable opponent for “Lokomotiv”. How do you feel about the phrase “uncomfortable opponent”?
– I know “Kokand-1912” well. They offer a fight to all opponents, and the players are always physically strong. They always fight until the end and do not allow opponents to play an easy game. Today, the teams fought more. In the last game, we fought like in “Mash’al”. From this point of view, they are playing good football. Today, we saw more fight and less football.
– “Lokomotiv” signed a contract with Jasur Yakhsyboyev, the club officially announced this. But we also read other conversations with him. What actually happened?
– To be honest, it’s not clear to me either. You should ask the management more about this. Everything was left to him. We invited him and he was supposed to come to us when he was ready. Later, there were more negotiations, and nothing concrete happened.
– Now do we have to wait until the summer for everything?
– Maybe everything is already clear. But for me, everything is vague and abstract. We also prepared options for him, but at the same time we were ready for another situation.