Pasulko out to put Moldova on the map

With another winter transfer window in full swing, former Moldova coach Viktor Pasulko has urged his country's footballers to adopt a different outlook if they want the opportunity to test themselves against the best in Europe.

Impressive displays
The leagues in Russia, Ukraine and Romania are the favoured destinations for Moldovan players keen to play abroad, with Stanislav Ivanov recently joining FC Lokomotiv Moskva after an impressive season with FC Moskva. His former Moskva team-mate Aleksandr Epureanu, together with Nikolai Josan at FC Anzhi Makhachkala and FC Alania Vladikavkaz's Serguei Dadu, have also performed well in Russia yet Pasulko is keen for his compatriots to broaden their horizons.

'Bright careers'
"Although we have a lot of gifted players, the strong clubs in western Europe are not interested in our young generation," Pasulko – who was the coach of the national side from 2002 to 2005 – told uefa.com. "While I was in charge I tried to change the players' mentality. They are dreaming about bright careers in the strong teams but eventually join middle-ranking clubs in Russia and Ukraine. One needs more than a day to change this."

Success abroad
Pasulko's hopes have already been realised to some extent as more and more Moldovan footballers are pursuing careers in Latvia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and other former Soviet republics. Former Moldovan international forward Serghei Pogreban has just crowned his third season in Lithuania with FK Ekranas with the league title, while Moldova midfielder Igor Tigirlas has won the Virsliga title in both his seasons with FK Ventspils in Latvia. Meanwhile Aleksandr Golban's 12 league goals helped FC Tobol Kostanay finish second in Kazakhstan.

'Step forwards'
Spreading his wings still further is centre-back Igor Armas, who made his international debut last year and has decided to take up a fresh challenge after three years in the first team at FC Zimbru Chişinău. The 21-year-old defender has signed a four-year contract with Hammarby and is relishing the opportunity to join a side who finished ninth in the Swedish Allsvenskan in 2008. "I don’t know much about Scandinavian football but I hope that I have taken a step forwards," he told uefa.com.