"We fought and fought - this is the main thing": what did they say after the Russian national team entered the playoffs of the home World Cup in beach soccer

"We had no right to be eliminated from the home tournament like that."

After the defeat of Japan and reaching the quarterfinals of the home beach soccer world championship, the players of the Russian national team were in a great mood. They gladly answered journalists' questions and joked a lot. It was felt that, having solved the problem, the players experienced great relief, because before the match of the last round of the group stage, the Russian team was literally on the edge of the abyss. In case of defeat, she skipped ahead of Paraguay and remained outside the playoffs. Such a result would be perceived as a real failure. So the head coach of the team, Mikhail Likhachev, noted that this could not be allowed.

“Based on the tournament situation, we found ourselves pinned to the wall. If the Russian national team lost, it would be eliminated from the home World Cup. I certainly didn't want to do it at the group stage. We solved the problem, and now all our thoughts are about the quarterfinals. Today I am satisfied with absolutely everything. Thanks to the team and all the guys for great football. As for the game, we can say that a lot has turned out. But I repeat once again: we had no right to leave the home tournament like that. All that was needed was a victory. Fortunately, the guys played even better than they could, ”the specialist emphasized.

In the first round of the playoffs, the hosts of the tournament will have to play with Spain.

The opponents are very familiar and meet regularly in various tournaments.

The last time they crossed paths in the Euroleague two months ago, and Russia won in extra time - 6: 5.

Likhachev drew parallels with the 1/8 finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, in which Stanislav Cherchesov's wards defeated the national team of this country.

“It's always a fantastic sign.

We will await the duel with trepidation.

The Spaniards have a very cool and strong team.

They proved it here too.

In my opinion, the opponent is in excellent shape.

But the world championship in Russia is in Moscow.

Meeting Russia - Spain.

Does this remind you of anything? "

- added the coach.

The mentor also said a few words about the condition of individual players.

In particular, he did not disclose the secret why the main goalkeeper Maxim Chuzhkov this time spent much more time on the court than in previous meetings, and spoke about the state of Dmitry Shishin.

“Today he played very useful for the team.

In principle, we were based on the fact that Dmitry should enter the site in the last round.

Unfortunately, at the end of the third period, he received minor damage.

I hope he gets off with a bruise, ”Likhachev explained.

"I suspect the Japanese weren't particularly resisting."

It is curious that Shishin - the top scorer in the history of the national team - has not yet scored a single goal at the 2021 World Cup.

But defender Artur Ferorotny scored three times, scoring all the goals in the match with the Japanese.

In a conversation with representatives of the media, the footballer could not even remember when he last got a hat-trick.

“For the club, perhaps, he scored three goals per match at some city competitions.

But, to be honest, I can't even refresh my memory, ”the athlete admitted.

The world champion was no longer talking about his goals, but about the great atmosphere in the team.

According to him, in the match with Japan on the sand there was a real team in which everyone was ready to fight for each other.

“There are moments that need to be worked on, but the coaching staff will make corrections.

And so, of course, everything is very pleasant.

Today the team spirit was directly felt.

All went out to fight for each other as one family, they were one fist.

There was no division into old and young, experienced and inexperienced.

I like this very much.

We fought and fought - this is the most important thing.

When there is a team, and goals will come, and victories, ”Ferranotny rejoiced.

Separately, the defender noted the excellent support of the fans.

He said that he had previously encountered a similar atmosphere only in Italy, but local football fans are still inferior to the Russians: "Sometimes it seemed that not 2.5 thousand people gathered in the stands, but at least 25 thousand. They drove the national team forward."

As for the upcoming meeting with Spain, the author of the hat-trick called the opponent a strong team, but told how you can beat him.

“You also need to go to the site and from the first minutes to choke, bite into them.

They should not be allowed to raise their heads.

The Spaniards don't like this.

They like more imposing football.

Therefore, we will fight, ”the defender promised.

By the way, the defeat of Japan began with an own goal of the captain and playing head coach of the rivals Ozu Moreira already in the ninth second.

He cut the ball into his own net after Anton Shkarin's unsuccessful kick.

After the final whistle, the record holder for the number of games for the national team admitted: fortune favored the Russians that evening.

“In the last game (you saw it yourself), nothing flew.

But today they scored for every taste.

This happens in beach soccer.

One day you may be terribly unlucky, but on the other the balls will end up in the goal after each hit.

The Japanese just did not go.

And we liberated ourselves and, in addition, quickly opened an account.

From the first minutes I was sure that the victory would remain with us, ”the veteran of the national team admitted.

At the same time, he assured that the mood of the Russian team was also outrageous for the games with Paraguay and the United States, but in the match with Japan the team succeeded in absolutely everything.

“Plus, the fans drove us forward.

But on the whole, you are absolutely right: the infusion turned out to be crazy.

We had nowhere to retreat.

I didn’t want to bring the matter up to extra time or a penalty, ”Shkarin added.

He also suggested that the weak play of the Japanese may be related to the desire to choose a more comfortable opponent for themselves in the quarterfinals.

After all, the team that took second place in Quartet A ended up in Tahiti, and not in Spain.

“They showed little and were somehow confused.

I suspect they did not particularly resist ... The rival did not need to be killed, so perhaps they did not demonstrate their full potential.

On the other hand, the same Ozu Moreira almost never left to replace.

If I were a coach, I would take it off.

Therefore, Japan also wanted to win.

They just stumbled upon our well-coordinated defense, where everyone fought for each other, ”explained the defender.

As a result, Russia will have to play with Spain.

The old-timer of the team is waiting for a bright double-edged meeting.

"Good team.

We know each other very well.

The last match with them was played in the Euroleague.

They conceded 0: 3, but managed to make a comeback.

I am sure that attacking football awaits us.

Nobody will sit back in defense.

After all, both Russia and Spain are more active as the first number.

We are going to show a cool game, ”said Shkarin.

“The main thing is not to allow euphoria - nothing has been done yet”

Finally, Boris Nikonorov explained why Likhachev's charges did not look as bright in the previous group stage matches.

In his opinion, the hosts of the tournament were not obliged to smash the USA and Paraguay.

“In the first meeting - with the Americans - there was a slight excitement among the guys.

In the second, with Paraguay, they have already added and even in the starting period they could have created a serious groundwork, but they did not realize a lot of chances.

As a result, they brought it to a tense ending.

Nevertheless, they snatched victory on character, will and Russian spirit.

Today we played to our strength.

This is our potential.

Moreover, I think we can add more.

The main thing is not to allow euphoria - nothing has been done yet.

The most interesting is ahead.

We must forget about the group stage.

If you start thinking now that we are okay, it can play a cruel joke, ”the player emphasized.

He also admitted that at the start of the world championship, excessive emotions associated with playing in front of a large audience prevented the team from showing their class.

“The fans are definitely driving ahead.

I think such excitement in the first match even played a cruel joke on us.

We managed to get out of the habit of the crowded stands, because for a year and a half we played in empty stadiums.

And here is such a fantastic arena, which was built specifically for the World Cup, and our native fans.

They are the best in the world.

We try and play for them, "Nikonorov noted.

He put an end to the confrontation with Japan, having distinguished himself 18 seconds before the final whistle.

Thus, he still scores in every match of the tournament.

However, the athlete singled out the goal of goalkeeper Maxim Chuzhkov at the beginning of the second period.

"Handsome!

Decided to hit and scored.

In principle, he often shoots at someone else's goal and is even marked with goals.

But today he kissed with his left foot.

Yes, Maxim was lucky with a rebound, but this happens in beach soccer.

And how unlucky we were with these bumps ... And how many times have I hit the crossbar during the tournament.

It's OK.

Such moments need to be overcome, "added Nikonorov.

Finally, he did not see anything wrong with the fact that in the quarterfinals Russia would have to meet with Spain.

According to the forward, the Tahiti national team is no less dangerous, since it just beat the Spaniards in the group stage - 12: 8.

“There are simply no weak teams here.

We don't care who to play with.

Spain is so Spain.

We will tune in to any team, ”the athlete summed up.