Joaquin Caparros: The Armenian national team is a real family
Head coach of the Armenian National Football team Joaquin Caparros has spoke on the performance of Armenian national team, expectations from upcoming friendlies and his attitude to Yerevan in an interview with the Football federation press service.
Asked what accounted for accounted for the five consecutive victories and no losses in 8 consecutive games, the head coach has said: "Thanks to this mentality and the attitude of the players we succeed in being like a real family. I was telling our coaches that we have an advantage over other teams around the world; that being the sense of patriotism. Not all teams have that. It should have accounted for one of our advantages. On top of that, the mentality of a team was adding faith in the work done, it was strengthening that faith and confidence,"
Speaking of the reasons for changing the team's tactic of playing in 4-4-2 instead of the deeply rooted 4-2-3-1, the head coach has said: " A national team cannot depend on one or two players and there is no need to adapt to them. The principle applied here is what we had discussed with the team at the very beginning - to be like a real football team and make the best use of each player. We cannot always have possession on the field as we do not have respective players. However, we can play vertical and pressing football. Our style of play cannot depend on certain players. We need a truly team-based spirit and behavior on the field. The game lasts only 90 minutes, during this time one can shift strategies. We need to know our own strategy and approaches, and people will recognize us by the identity we form."
Joaquin Caparros has also spoken about the Armenian fans: "Fans have a great emotional significance. They were a huge inspiration to our boys. The national team held three matches in a short period of time and it was the fans that were supplying oxygen and breath to the players when it was tough. Unfortunately, their number was limited, but I am confident that the boys were cheered and inspired outside the stadiums as well. We need our fans, they really help us. And this enhances our sense of responsibility too."
The full interview is available on the FFA website.