The Turkmenistan national football team suffered its first defeat in the qualifying tournament of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, losing in Ashgabat to the team of the Republic of Korea – 0:2. After the game, the head coach of the Turkmenistan national football team Ante Miše answered questions from journalists.
– Mr. Miše, how do you assess the game of the Turkmenistan national football team against the Republic of Korea and the result of the match?
– Of course, the result is not good. I want to congratulate the national team of the Republic of Korea, which played well and deserved to win. What do I want to note? We played at a high level against one of the best teams in Asia. I am satisfied with the game, especially in the second half. I can’t scold the guys, I can thank them for what they showed on the field.
At the pre-match press conference, I said that in such games we should create at least 2-3 chances for goal scoring. And we had them in the second half, but we did not score. In games of this level with a famous opponent, we must use our moments: one chance – one goal. Then you can count on a result of 1:1 or 2:2 or a victory.
– In the match against the Korea Republic national football team, the best soccer player of the 2018 Turkmenistan Championship Altymyrat Annadurdyyev did not play. What happened to him?
– On the eve of the game, Altymyrat was injured, and so I decided not to let him out on the field. Of course, the match with the team of the Republic of Korea was important, but for me the game with the Lebanon national football team, which will be held in October, is much more important. I want Annadurdyyev to prepare for her. I do not want to risk his health. Altimyrat is the highest quality player in our team. He plays well in attack, can score, pass, runs fast, a very strong and fast player. I am very sorry that Annadurdyyev could not play just because of an injury. I am very sorry.
– Korean football players literally locked the Turkmenistan national football team in its half of the field from the first minutes of the match. Are our guys scared of a formidable opponent?
– We greatly respect the Korean team, but you need to know that we played against an opponent with a higher level of skill. Football players of the Korea Republic national football team in the German Bundesliga, in the English Premier League, in the championships of France, Japan. Every three days they play matches of the same level as today, against teams of the highest level. Every three days! Before the match, which was broadcast live, I told my guys: "Do not be afraid, show your game! After all, today is a holiday for us, show your level to the whole world! Do not worry about the result, enjoy your game".
– The tasks for match was to keep football goal locked?
– In a game with such a high-class opponent, it looked normal. If we ran ahead, our defenders would not keep up with the fast Koreans, and then they would just "kill" us – they would score 5-6 goals. I did not want to allow this.
– At the 76th minute of the game, one of the most active players in the team of Turkmenistan Arslanmyrat Amanov was substituted. He left the field, holding on to his legs. What happened to him? Did he have muscle cramps?
– I think this is because of the very high level of the game: he started having problems in the calf muscles.
– A badge depicting the State Flag of Turkmenistan appeared on your suit. What does this mean for you?
– I am a Croatian Turkmen now! I am proud that I am the head coach of the Turkmenistan national football team!
