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Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty
Henry M. Robert

Blame the Referees?

23 March, 1999 - 00:00

By Kyrylo STADNYCHENKO, special to The Day
John TOSHACK:

"The game was equal"

Real Madrid chief coach John Toshack was the first to arrive at the
post-match press conference.

"The referee displayed his attitude to the teams as early as in the
first 30 seconds of the game. After Robert Jarni was penafired, our side
became too careful, and this told on how the men played."

"Will you assess the way Dynamo played?"

"It was a game of two equal teams. In the first half we totally outplayed
Dynamo, and I was sure we would gain success after the break. Unfortunately,
unlike Dynamo, we failed to make the most of our chances."

"In what way will this match reflect on the future of Real?"

"No doubt, the loss of this match is a powerful blow to our self-confidence
and ambitions. But we have ahead of us decisive battles in the Spanish
championship and the cup. We must forget this defeat and strive for victory.
I think we are capable of winning these two tournaments."

Valery LOBANOVSKY:

"Money decides far from everything"

The appearance in the press conference hall of Dynamo Kyiv chief coach
Valery Lobanovsky was greeted with applause and shouts of "bravo."

"I want first of all to apologize for my absence at the pre-match press
conference. I am really ill, and now my health leaves much to be desired.
Unfortunately, we failed the first half. The boys were eager to show their
best in front of the full stadium and simply overdid it. In the second
half, I remained satisfied with the actions of my players."

"What did you say exactly to the players during the break?"

"The truth. I told them we had been worse than the rivals in all respects,
and a draw would be unfair. Then, as I have already said, we made some
tactical alterations in the game. I think all of you saw them. The changes
in the game brought about the result."

"Immediately after the game and now too, you never showed your emotions.
Mr. Lobanovsky, are you pleased with the result of the match?"

"And what do you think?" (Laughter in the hall).

"Who could you single out in your team and the rival team?"

"No one. The whole team won, as well as the whole Real lost. It is especially
true of us. We have displayed today true teamwork soccer."

"Would you assess the way your today's rival played?"

"Real is a strong team. Suffice it to say the Madrid players completely
controlled the game in the first half. Naturally, they are more experienced.
And their names also have more star quality than ours. But what really
matters in our life is not always money. That Real should have such players,
who earn fabulous money, and such a club budget by no means guarantees
them a win over Kyiv Dynamo. Even if we were inferior to them in individual
skills, we were still superior in teamwork."

"Real coach John Toshack said it was a game of equal teams. Will
you comment on his words?"

"He is partly right. In the aggregate, both Real and Dynamo perhaps
showed today equal play. Why is he right in part? Because in soccer, as
in any other sport, everything is measured by the result on the score board.
The latter vividly displayed our win. So it is Dynamo, not Real, that will
be playing in the semifinals. I think I can confine myself to this phrase.
Unfortunately, we did not show today good physical and technical condition.
March is March. But the first-leg semifinal match is three weeks away.
I hope this time will be enough to get ourselves ready."

INCIDENTALLY

April 7: Kyiv Dynamo to Play Munich Bayern

A draw of the European cups semifinals was held last Friday. In the
Champions League, Kyiv Dynamo will play Munich Bayern. The first-leg match
will be held in Kyiv on April 7 and the second in Munich on April 21. Manchester
United and Turin Juventus will play in the other semifinal.

The Kyivans have more than once to outplayed Bayern. The most memorable
victory was achieved in September 1975, when Dynamo, winning 1:0 in Munich
and 2:0 in Kyiv, netted the European Supercup.

 

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