Goncharenko never doubted BATE fate
Thursday, July 26, 2012
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"I had very little doubt," said FC BATE Borisov coach Viktor Goncharenko after a goalless draw took them past FK Vardar, with his counterpart Ilčo Gjorgioski ruing the late first-leg loss.
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FC BATE Borisov were defending a 3-2 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round lead at FK Vardar on Wednesday night and after the goalless draw that took them through to play Debreceni VSC, visiting coach Viktor Goncharenko said they felt "really comfortable".
Ilčo Gjorgioski's side went closest at the death when Jovan Kostovski's header was saved but the Vardar coach was left to rue the two added-time Vitali Rodionov goals last week that ultimately sealed the Macedonian champions' fate.
Viktor Goncharenko, BATE coach
I had very little doubt that we would go through. We controlled the game for most of the match. The goals in Borisov greatly changed the tactics. The way the match developed, we could've won here in Skopje as well. I would like to say that the atmosphere and the stadium were amazing. We felt really comfortable tonight.
Ilčo Gjorgioski, Vardar coach
We played patiently and I believe that we did not let BATE have many counterattacks, which is their strongest trait. Perhaps we were lacking the finishing touch to change the result to our benefit. It turned out that we lost the tie with BATE in the first leg in Borisov with the two goals we conceded in added time. I believe the players gave their all. BATE are not naive, they are experienced, they have played Juventus, Barcelona, Milan and Real Madrid.
