Dambrauskas: My players closed the gaps, the opponent was not remembered for anything

"I want to congratulate my team, especially my players. It was very difficult to win away against a very strong opponent, a team that has played in the group stage of European cups. I have great respect for my players. We knew it would be a tough game for us. In the first half, we were the side that was more willing and did what they wanted. I liked my team's reaction in the second half. We were the side that deserved to be ahead on the score. My players closed the gaps, the opponent was not remembered for anything. The game in the second half was an exemplary game. It is a game that will be shown in some academies, in some coaching courses. We will start our recovery training from tomorrow. We will face the same opponent in the semi-finals. Both teams have a great desire. We really want to experience the final".

Sport24.az reports that these words were said by "Sabah" head coach Valdas Dambrauskas at the press conference held after the 28th round of the Misli Premier League match with "Qarabag" (0:1). 

He answered journalists' questions:

- "Qarabag" is a team that can create very simple episodes in front of the opponent's goal in Europe and the local league. What details did you work well on today that they could not create an episode in front of your goal?

- If we talk about details, I will talk until Wednesday. There were a lot of details. In my opinion, there are two most important principles for implementing these details. One of them is to put your heart on the field. You can talk about a lot of tactics. But if the players don't run, don't focus, don't tune into the game, it won't help. Secondly, it is the names on their uniforms. They have to play for it. They should make their families, children, everyone proud of them. I am happy to train this group of football players. We haven't lost for 26-27 games. If I invite you to our training sessions, you will see that sometimes the intensity and struggle in the training sessions is even more than in the games. This behavior is the key to such victories. It's all the work of my players. It is true that after "Qarabag" passed the passes, when they were two on two on the flanks, they could not pass any of our players.

-  "Sabah" will have a big burden on its shoulders in the Champions League. Do you think the team will be able to cope with it?

- We are not thinking about it now. It doesn't matter to me now how it will be in Europe, what our responsibility will be. We don't even know which teams we will face. I focus more on our own games. I am looking for our mistakes. We have to perform very well on Wednesday and reach the final again.

- What is Mikels' condition?

- I don't know now. I have to talk to the medical staff about it. It looks like a serious injury. They are taking him to the hospital now. Then you can find out something.

- You said that if you come to our training sessions, you will see the fighting spirit of our football players. I suggest you hold an open training session for the media and fans before the game against "Qarabag"..

- It was one of the best questions I have ever heard. We will not have intensive training sessions now. Because we will have 2 recovery training sessions. It's not up to me, you can talk to the management. Why not? I don't promise before the game against "Qarabag". It is possible to talk before other games.

- Do you think Abdulla Khaybullayev is a hero or an anti-hero?

- This question is also a very good question. I have always said this in the changing room, he is a very important player for us. Abdulla gives not only his heart but all the cells of his body in training. He plays very well, he is a very patient player. He is one who will give not 100, but 110 percent on the field when we need him. I tell everyone to be ready and use that opportunity. We knew that Umarali would not play today. Abdulla also made good use of this opportunity. He is an exemplary player for us. He hurt us a little in the second half, we were left with 10 people. Red cards and mistakes are a part of football. But we never blame our players, we try to correct their mistakes and show them the right way. In my opinion, Abdulla is an important player of our team.