The head coach Miroslav Koubek answered questions at the press conference after the match.
Was the extra time at the end of the first half the decisive moment of the match?
We can say yes. Two goals were scored
during the extra time. Even though Olomouc held on to the ball at certain times
of the match, we didn’t allow them any major scoring chances. I had the
impression we were the most dangerous at the beginning of the match. Our
attacking force culminated during the last couple of minutes of the first half.
The first goal gave us the proper motivation. Olomouc had one rare chance from
the set piece and they scored. They were more effective than us, we started to
be effective as late as during that extra time. We clenched the opponent and
hit him twice. That made me happy and it was the decisive moment.
Did you have time to tell the players to
keep pushing after the first goal?
It just came out naturally. They all felt
reborn and encouraged. On the other hand, the opponent’s confidence was shaken
and they were under pressure. We started to get every ball, it just bounced to
our feet. We got the opponent under pressure and scored twice. Cadu played
really well in the offense. He needs to improve in the defense though, get some
experience. But he is a really valid player in the offense. I could say the
same about Jan Kopic. At this stage, we use the strikers at the half-back
positions.
Cadu played a very good game. Will his
performance get him more time on the pitch?
Cadu is versatile and variable. Once he
goes from the right, the other time from the left. As a Brazilian, he is very a
technical and skilled player with the ball. I can see that every day during
practice. But we need to improve our shape. It’s difficult to get fit with this
tough schedule we have though. We can’t train the way we want to. We haven’t
trained properly for a month, we’re travelling all the time. We either have a
pre-game practice or a post-game practice, that’s all. We keep fit by playing
the games only.
Six wins in a row, can we start calling
it a winning streak?
Let’s stay low. A very good opponent awaits
us now. I was really surprised how good the team of Kostanay really is. We have
a very tough nut to crack. After the match, we’ll see if we’re on the winning
streak or not.
Tough opponent and a long way ahead of
us again. What do you expect from the trip to Kazakhstan?
I’m not gonna lie, we wished to play
against Derry City, solely because of the travel aspect. They allowed a
goalkeeper to perform a penalty kick and you know how that turned out. We
wanted to go to Ireland, because of better transport possibilities. But the
situation is different and we have to accept that, even with the tough schedule
and travelling.
The injured players slowly return to the
roster. How important is that for you?
We couldn’t use the two strikers scheme in
the last two games. We had only two strikers left, Kliment and Rafiu. We
couldn’t use both of them from the start, because we would have no one for
substitution at their position. We’re glad Tomáš Chorý is back and we hope
Matěj Vydra will be ready soon. Erik Jirka is back as well and that give us
more variability.