Alekander Rekhviashvili the head of “Olymps” Riga knows Latvian Football very well. In spite of this he is head of the club nowadays, during years he was playing in “Skonto” (1997-2202) and in “Venstpils” (2004-2006). He played with current members of Latvian National Team. By the way head office of “Olymps” is in the same facility where is situated Latvian Football Federation. So, his opinion about the match between Georgia and Latvia is quite interesting, that’s why “World Sport’ connected him and got an interview.
- What kind of mood the Latvian have before this match after unsuccessful start of qualifying round?
- In the first match against Croatia they made a lot of mistakes. Especially in the left wing of defense, in this position Kanchanovs did not play due to injury. They won over Malta 2:0, but they did not have special advantages in this match. Success in Greece would be psychologically good but… Latvian press considers qualifying round unsuccessfully, but it is true. In private talks local football specialists say that wanted to show better result. One of the main problems of Latvian National Team is that 40 per cent of Latvian legionaries do not have playing practice in their own clubs.
- Lately, have you talked to Aleksander Starkovs a head coach of Latvian team? It is quite possible that he wanted to have some information about Georgian National Team.
- Generally, when Latvian National Team gather before the match I try to avoid being at the training. The assistants of Strakov often ask me about Georgian National Team. By the way, Latvia has very good football specialists, who study each opponent inside out. They have quite well information about Georgian team, they have watched all the matches of Georgian team, they have detail information about players as well.
- How will you estimate current Latvian National Team?
- Lately, Latvian National Team plays in he same level, it does not have regress. It is on the 49th place in FIFA rating. They do not give in anything easily. It is pleasant that Georgian Team shows good result in the latest matches, defense line plays better and goalkeeper also is trustful. In my mind both of the teams are equal.
- Temur Ketsbaia mentioned that Latvian team has tall players and they perform standard position quite well. What is other trump of Latvian Team?
- To tell the truth they are dangerous in standard situation and pay much attention to this component. If we look through the last matches of these teams, 50 per cent of goals are scored in our goals after standard kicks. The most distinguished player is captain of the team Gorkss. Cauna is also very talented player and considered as a star in current Latvian football. Verpakovskis will not participate in this match and this is trump for Georgian team. But they have Rudnevs who scored 3 goals to “Juventus” in Europa League as a player of “Lekhsh” Poland. I think there will not be a lot of goals in this match.
- Is it possible Starkov to be changed in case of losing or draw with Georgia?
- He is unchangeable, because he has big authority. I cannot imagine other candidate in this position. He is trustful and he creates good atmosphere in a team. Generally, this person can make good collective around him.
- Have you watched the last matches of Georgia, how do you estimate chances of Ketsbaia’s team in Riga?
- I have watched matches against Greece and Israel, but could not watch Georgia-Matla match because I have not been to Riga. Defensive line should be paid maximum attention, especially performing standard kicks. By the way it is Latvians’ Achilles’ heel using the moments. If they used Verpakovskis’ 100 per cent chance in the match against Greece, no one knows how would be final result. The first goal will have big importantance in the next matches.
- Before starting the qualifying round, Georgian Football Federation said that they had your hope of getting cassette of Latvian team’s matches…
- In the last qualifying round, I had cassettes of the matches against Israel and Greece and I have sent it to Georgian football federation. Georgian side also sent their matches to Latvian federation. Opponents know everything about themselves and we should not wait for any surprise.
- Is there any interest about this match in Riga?
- Lately fans always attend National Team’s matches. Each of my acquaintance calls me and asks about Georgian National Team.
- Are you planning to pay visit to Georgian National Team?
- I will meet players at the hotel and will attend their training. Certainly I will have private talk to Ketsbaia.
Lasha Tabagari
