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Valentin Khodukin: Azeri squad underwent heavy shock after the match in Warsaw

27 March 2007 13:51 (UTC +04:00)

â€œIt is not right to impose heavy pressures on Azerbaijani squad before the coming encounterâ€?, Inter coach Valentin Khodukin told APA-Sport.
Ukrainian trainer stated that the players need moral support right now.
â€œAzerbaijani squad needs moral support. I understand that the team should be criticized after a bad performance and 0-5 defeat. But it should be considered that the team will meet Finland tomorrow. We will achieve nothing by pressuring coach Shahin Diniyev. The team has received a heavy shock in Warsawâ€?, he said.
Khodukin felt sorry for his counterpart in the national squad and said Diniyev is in a difficult situation now. The trainers stressed the necessity of replacement and pointed out some problems.
â€œDiniyev cannot pick additional players from outside because it is not allowed to change the players list sent to the UEFA. But the team needs a new breath considering the current condition of the players. Psychological factor will play important role in tomorrowâ€™s match with Finland. If the rival scores a goal, it will be hard to resist them. Azerbaijani team will try to keep the goals. The team may become despondent if the rival scores a goalâ€?, he noted. /APA-Sport/