Interview by Konstantin Serikov - Uzbek Futsal Association


Sergio Sapo believes Uzbekistan on rise

Head coach of Uzbekistan futsal team, Brazilian specialist Sergio Sapo summed up the results of the participation of Uzbekistan at the Third Asian Indoor Games, which completed last weekends in Vietnam.

"There are serious difference between tournaments in Tashkent and Vietnam. Before Friendship Cup, we have just a week for preparation and before the Asian Games we have much time, besides Tashkent tournament was held just after the first round of the Uzbekistan championship", said Sapo.


Are you satisfied with the final results?

"We had a task to win the Games. If we achieved it, I would be satisfied, but I am not disappointed as this team has good perspectives and hopes for great future. I am happy today that we have serious progress in short period and taking into account that we have half a year till the final stage of the Asian Cup, we have hope for a good result at the Asian championship in Tashkent".


How is the level of Asian futsal as teams gathered together after one and a half year?

"Iran and Japan are strong teams and Thailand progressed significantly. All opportunities of teams we will see next year in Tashkent (at the Asian championship)"


How do you assess Japan, where you worked for six years?

"Japan is another team now. New coach came to team and he is building game of the team in line with his views. Japanese players are professionals and they adopted new system very fast. Japanese players played many large official and non-official tournaments. All this helped that to collect international experience. I am planning to organize several sparring matches for Uzbekistan both in Tashkent and abroad to acquire similar experience".


During tournament several players were injured (Nadir Elibaev, Hurshid Tadjibaev), in particular Elibaev could not participate in several matches. How this affected to change of tactical schemes in games of Uzbekistan?

"Nothing changes with the injury of Elibaev, despite he is one of key players. We should not depend on one or two players, we have single team, and each player should be able to replace other without damage to all collective. I believe it was this way in Vietnam".


After the second round of Uzbekistan championship, there will be several friendly matches in Kazakhstan. Will be there any changes compared to "bronze" team in Vietnam?

"I am planning to invite several new players. We should search for new talents and I see there are gifted players. During this year, we will work on improvement of game quality and players".









Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com