Following the Uzbekistan Cup quarter-final between Neftchi and Lokomotiv, Lokomotiv head coach Mirko Jelicic attended the post-match press conference.
— It was a real cup tie, and we saw plenty of goals. Both teams came into the match in high spirits. Neftchi fought until the very end. Both sides created good chances. That is football — we also fought until the final minute and gave our opponents a real battle. I want to thank the players for their performance today. Matches like this are enjoyable both to watch and to play in.
— Nobody expected this result. What was the secret behind the team’s victory today?
— Our players feel comfortable on the ball. This victory is the result of ten months of hard work. That is why the lads do not rush things and instead focus on playing their own style of football. As a result, they are capable of competing against any opponent.
However, in certain situations, our team still lacks some fighting spirit and determination. Today, I am grateful to the players for maintaining a high tempo against Neftchi, a team with many high-quality players. Such a confident performance means a great deal to us.
I wish Neftchi all the best in their upcoming matches.