DUSHANBE, 02.03.2018 /NIAT “Khovar”/. The new head coach of FC “Khujand” Numonjon Yusupov, who led the team this week, shared his expectations from the upcoming match for the 2018 Super Cup of Tajikistan against Dushanbe’s FC “Istiqlol”. It was reported by the press service of the Football Federation of Tajikistan.

 Numonjon Yusupov, head coach of FC “Khujand”:

— I headed “Khujand” just this week and during this time I conducted three trainings with the team. There are small shortcomings, especially in terms of functionality. You yourself witnessed how the team looked in the second playoff leg of the AFC Cup against Turkmen “Ahal”.

I can say that the guys have a desire. The players understand all responsibility. I am sure that the guys will give their best for one hundred percent, despite the shortcomings, to at least somehow rehabilitate themselves in front of their fans after the unsuccessful performance in the AFC Cup. From us, the coaches and the management of the club, depends too much. We will try to psychologically adjust players, choose the right setting, tactics for the match against such a strong opponent as FC “Istiqlol”. The Dushanbe team is on the move now, and its only came from Tashkent, where held several good test matches with Uzbek clubs.

After my coming to “Khujand”, we have invited defender Hasan Rustamov and midfielder Bakhtiyor Choriev, as well as returned forward Farhod Tokhirov. I am sure that these players will help the team.

The Ukrainian legionary Sergey Chebotarev left “Khujand” at will. I think that it will be unprofessional for us, without working with the players, to part with someone at once, so we left all players who have existing contracts. We will work with them the first half of the season, we see who is right for us and who does not.

I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the leadership of the Sughd province, personally to the chairman Rajabboy Ahmadzoda, for entrusting me to head FC “Khujand”. It was a personal initiative of the province’s chairman to invite me to the team.

He is good at football. Rajabboy Ahmadzoda dreams that “Khujand” also grew to the level of “Istiqlol”, constantly played in the international arena, in the AFC Cup. Therefore, before FC “Khujand” there are big tasks this season. We will try to justify the trust of management entrusted to us with the club’s director Murod Umarov, who has extensive experience in the capital’s “Istiqlol”.

Alexei Matrosov, goalkeeper of FC “Khujand”:

— I want to congratulate the whole of Tajikistan on the start of the new football season. The match for the Super Cup in any country is an important event. I was invited to FC “Khujand” in January. I was warmly received by the team. We have no problems.

Why did “Khujand” fail to pass “Ahal”? I think that our team did not have enough experience, as well as good sparring partners in the off-season.