Puntus wants to see repeat

By Manfred Christoph in Oberhausen

Belarus coach Yuri Puntus has a selection dilemma ahead of their second UEFA European Under-21 Championship Group A match against Croatia despite their superb opening-day victory against Italy.

Kantsavy concussion
Striker Artem Kantsavy was concussed two minutes before the end of Thursday's 2-1 win, and Puntus is yet to decide on his lineup for the encounter with a Croatian side that were edged out 3-2 by Serbia and Montenegro in the tournament's opening game.

Video studied
However, Puntus is happy to dwell on their dream start, and has already watched the Italy game on video - and will do so again before Saturday's match. Puntus is a firm believer in studying recordings of matches, and has also been assessing the individual strengths of the Croatian players knowing that his team stand on the threshold of something big.

'Hoping for a win'
"If we can win the second match, it means that we are almost through to the semi-finals and that we can reach our goal," Puntus said. "I am hoping for a win, but a draw would not be the worst."

Olympic dream
With a semi-final place now a very realistic possibility, Puntus has half an eye on an eventual top-three place, meaning qualification for this summer's Olympic football tournament in Athens. For that to happen the team's spine of goalkeeper Yuri Zhaunov, defender Aleksei Baga, midfield player Aleksandr Gleb and forward Siarhei Karnilenka remain the key.

Croatia concern
However, his opposite number Martin Novoselac knows that another defeat is likely to end his team's campaign. Croatia hit the post seconds from the end of the defeat by Serbia and Montenegro, but Novoselac believes the point was lost well before then, even though they came back from 2-0 down early in the second half to equalise before falling behind again on 86 minutes.

'Too defensive'
"We were too defensive against Serbia and Montenegro, especially in the first half," Novoselac admitted. "The second half was much better but we were unlucky at the end. We have to go for the victory and my lineup will be more attacking tomorrow."

'No injuries'
He added: "There are no injuries or other problems, there is still a good atmosphere in the team and everybody is available for the match against Belarus. My team are really only at their best when the pressure is on."