"I think, I played quite well. We beat a strong team and many people congratulate me. Will I be called up in the team for the next match? Ketsbaia should decide it" - stated Akaki Khubutia, defender of Romanian "Gaz Metan", to "World Sport". A 24-year-old Khubutia had debut in the national team on November 17 and most people think, that he played well. He played during 90 minutes and his mission was to neutralize Slovenian forward Milivoje Novakovic.
We contacted Akaki in Romania. His "Gaz Metan" visited participant of Champions League "Kluje" and played 1:1. But Georgian player watched the match from the tribune. He arrived in Romania at dawn on Friday and could not play. Khubutia has a successful season.
- How do you estimate Slovenian match and are you satisfied with your play?
- The team player well. It is not easy to win over Slovenia away. It was my first match in the team. I think I did not play badly.
- Archil Arveladze said about you, that you played well but you could have done more.
- I agree with him. If I felt good, I would do more. I will prove that. I want to thank Archil Arveladze for such words.
- Let us talk about mistakes....
- Maybe you want to speak about the moment at our goal in the first half. I could not catch the ball and after the shot of Novakovic Loria parried it. It was not my fault. I could have reached the ball in case of dive. The ball was coming fast and it was not excluded that I might have scored it in our goal. I heard Loria's voice. He told me not to catch it. I watched this moment several times and I can say that I did not make a mistake. Besides that, Kaladze was in the center and I had to block Dedic. I made other mistakes when I could not make good long assists.
- You played with Kakha Kaladze in defence center. How did you feel his support?
- It is a great stimulus and experience to play with Kaladze. He is a great player. Not only for me, but it will be good for other young players to play with him.
- It seemed that central defenders and goalkeeper were under pressure. Was it a tiring match, was not it?
- Loria played well. He parried so difficult balls, including penalty. I think, this penalty was not fair.
- You had to block Novakovic...
- Ketsbaia told us to play personally in case of standards. For example. we play in zones in "Gaz Metan". I think, method of Ketsbaia is better. In short, I think i did my mission well.
- Why were you arguing with Novakovic?
- I do not know if he did it on purpose but he hit me his elbow. I warned him not to do it again. After the match we congratulated me on winning the match.
- What did Ketsbaia tell you during the break?
- He told us to play more attentively. He told midfielders to play actively.
- How do you think, will Ketsbaia call you up for the next match?
- I will always be ready. Ketsbaia should decided everything. I am very happy that I played in the national team and won over this strong opponent. Everyone congratulated me in the club and I still receive congratulations. I think, Georgian team has good future. Young players showed themselves in this match. We have a really good coach. Everyone knows and respects Ketsbaia in Romania.
- "Gaz Metan" is less popular club but you are in the leading group of the championship. What is your aim?
- Before the start of the championship, we planned to be among first 8 clubs. Now, we are fighting for European League. The first round is coming to an end. We are ahead of clubs such as "Stiaua", "Dinamo" and "Kluje".
- At what expense? As we know, "Gaz Metan" is not so rich club and coach Cristian Pustai is not so good specialist...
- Discipline and hard working. We are playing correctly and have a strong defence. I am 193 cm but two defenders are taller than me. One is 194 cm and another 205 cm. As for Pustai, he is a local man and has played in Romanian Super League. Pustai became a coach of the team 4 years ago. He knows this club and structure well. By the way, he is a match professor and is called "Professor Pustai".
- It is obvious that Romanian Championship is tense. Can you say anything else?
- "Kluje" could not reach leaders and it is obvious that the championship is tense. 18 teams are in Supreme League and 10 teams are in good financial situation. They have Argentinian, Spanish and Brazilian players. This championship is better than Scottish, Swiss, Serbian. Players of the main team of "Partizan" and "Zrvena Zvevda" are coming to Romania and many of them do not even play.
- Do you think about changing the club?
- It is said, that someone is interested in me from Germany. They asked about my contract. But I am concentrated on playing. If a better club will show up I will think about leaving.



Ilia Nanobashvili