Courtesy: UEFA


Shakhtar braced for Boomerang

Friday, 10 March 2006

FC Shakhtar Donetsk are well aware of the task facing them as they take on the might of Boomerang Interviú on Saturday evening with a place in the UEFA Futsal Cup final at stake.

Home help
The Ukrainian challengers are staging the first match of the two-legged semi-final at the Druzhba sport complex. The return in Madrid follows on 25 March, and Shakhtar will feel their best chance of success against the 2003/04 European champions is to take a lead to Spain. The winners of this tie will take on either MFK Dinamo Moskva or Kairat Almaty, with Dinamo holding a 3-0 advantage from the first leg of that contest.

Injury problems
Shakhtar coach Oleh Solodovnik said: "We have completed our minimum task, and that was to advance to semi-finals. But only a bad soldier does not dream about becoming a general. Of course, Boomerang are a serious team while we have important loseses in the squad." The coach was particularly referring to Ukrainian internationals Fedir Pylypiv, who was in a car accident, and goalkeeper Vasyl Sukhomlinov (broken leg), while Ihor Moskvychov is just returning to fitness.

'Own strengths'
"Boomerang are unquestionably the favourites," added Solodovnik. "They are definitely the strongest in Europe. They think very quickly, yet they don't always play so quickly." The coach believed his team would have to "rely on our own strengths – set-pieces and fast breaks" to counter the obvious ability of their visitors.

Mansurov ready
Shakhtar are eight points clear in the Ukrainian league and Boomerang will know they are a stronger outfit than the side beaten 8-0 by Spanish side El Pozo Murcia in last year's competition. Shakhtar captain Ramis Mansurov is particularly determined his team give a good account of themselves in front of their own fans, who are being given free entry for the first leg. "Taking on a Spanish team is a tough task," he said. "I hope a lot will be decided through our motivation, determination and strong cup character."

Candelas cautious
For their part, Boomerang are not dominating their domestic league, trailing Murcia by three points, although their last game before their European date was an 8-4 success against GSI Bilbo UV. Jesús Candelas, coach of the 'green machine', believes his side are just hitting their stride. "My team are in a very good moment now, and confident, our main aim this year is the UEFA Futsal Cup. Shakhtar are a dangerous team, but I don't know much about them, we will have to prepare well." Compared to his opposite number, Candelas is only without Luis, who has a broken foot.


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