On March 9 league champions FC Aktobe and cup winner Shakhter Karagandy will meet in the capital of Kazakhstan, at the 30000 seater Astana-Arena to compete for the first trophy of the new season – the Kazakh Super Cup. Both fans and players eagerly anticipate the first match of the season, and such an important one as well. The traditional pre-match press conference was attended by both head coaches, Victor Kumykov of Shakhter and Vladimir Nikitenko of Aktobe.
Victor Kumykov (Shakhter head coach):
– Our pre-season went well, we signed the people we planned to. Unfortunately the players that left the team last year were a at the heart of our squad: Gazaran, Cañas , Khizhnichenko. However, at the same time, the holes were filled with several new players. We’ve been happy with the team, no unnecessary players.
Vladimir Nikitenko (Aktobe head coach):
– First of all, I want congratulate everyone with the start of the season. The Super Cup is of great importance for us, I think we have a great football match awaiting us. Aktobe has also gone through big changes in its composition. There are guys who left the team, at the same time six new players have joined our ranks. Perhaps there will be more new players as we still have a few open spots for foreign players, the question is still ongoing.
A. Simcevic (Shakhter player):
– We trained well and are fully ready for the start of the championship. For us it is important to start the season of with a win. I am confident that we will leave everything on the field tomorrow because all of Karagandy expects us to win.
Timur Kapadze (Aktobe player):
– Good afternoon. I want to congratulate everyone with the beginning of the season. Matches against Shakhter are always very difficult as both teams set high standards and play to win, this game especially. We understand that this game sets the mood of the team for the new season. It will be a very interesting match.
– Last year your club was very successful on the European stage, will Shakhter repeat and surpass the achievement of the previous season?
(Shakhter coach)- Recently we met with Governor of the region and he gave us the task of performing successfully in European competitions. Once again our goal is to get into the group stage and to perform better than in the previous season. Our players gained a lot of experience last year and they have seen that we can beat serious opponents. We have played against many different teams with different playing styles, however the main thing is attitude and the belief that you are able to beat any opponent.
Victor Kumykov (Shakhter head coach):
– No TV can convey the atmosphere that will be at the stadium. We would like to invite all football fans to the opening of the 2014 season to witness a very interesting and uncompromising match.
Vladimir Nikitenko (Aktobe head coach):
– Probably due to the fact that Karaganda is closer to Astana than Aktobe, there will be more Shakhter supporters then our fans. But I’m sure that we will have a strong support. The match tomorrow will be very interesting and I’m sure the audience will enjoy it.
Orange and black 