Moldova chose Viktor for victory
Monday, February 11, 2002
Article summary
Moldova coach Viktor Pasulko has good reason to want to beat the Dutch in the EURO 2004™ qualifiers.
Article body
As a player, he is best remembered for the goal that sent the Soviet Union into the semi-finals of EURO 88 after a 3-1 victory over England. As a coach, he also has the UEFA European Championship in his sights.
Qualifying bid
For Viktor Pasulko's brief in his new role as Moldova coach is "to qualify for EURO 2004™". Moldovan Football Association (FMF) president Pavel Ciobanu told him so when he appointed him, adding: "And there is nothing to smile about - we are not going to ask our national team to challenge for last place."
The surprise choice
Quite an undertaking, then, for the former FC Spartak Moscow striker who has no coaching experience at professional level and was considered an unlikely candidate for the job. Indeed, his nomination took everyone by surprise given the credentials of his rivals, the respected Ivan Daniliants and interim national coach Alexandru Spiridon.
Time for a change
Not that Ciobanu has any illusions about the size of the task facing his man. "The whole mentality of our players needs to be changed," he explained. "They automatically think of themselves as outsiders, despite some of them being very gifted footballers."
Winning, not competing
The Ukrainian-born Pasulko, who moved to Germany to play for SC Fortuna Köln in 1989 and recently coached an amateur side in Karlsruhe, is happy to pick up the gauntlet. "The time when we would be happy just to participate in the qualifiers has passed. We are here for success," the 41-year-old said.
West Germany revisited
Moldova are in Group 3 along with Austria, Belarus, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. Pasulko, a second-half substitute in the Soviets' final defeat by the Dutch in West Germany 14 years ago, cannot wait to meet his old foe.
Underdogs ready to bite
"The group is very strong," he said. "There's not much more you can say about Dutch football, and the Czechs are strong as well. But it will be easy for us to play those teams, because they will have problems motivating themselves. This is where our advantage is."