Buoyant Besek ready for the challenge

by Ayrton Galea - 14th July 2016

Head Coach Drazen Besek confirmed his faith in his players, and he thinks it's a fifty-fifty chance to qualify to the next round. He made it clear that his aim will be nothing else but winning the two-legs despite the difficult opposition of Heart of Midlothian FC.

Addressing a press-conference moments after the last training session at the Hibernians Stadium, Besek said, “We know against whom we are we playing. We know about the history of the team, and we have prepared for that. Our chances of qualifying are 50-50, and tomorrow there are ninety minutes where I expect big fighting spirit and playing our hearts out.”

The Birkirkara Coach praised his team's effort for last week's performance that saw them defeating NK Siroki Brijeg to advance to the second qualifying round, to face Heart of Midlothian, after the latter defeated Estonian side FC Infonet Tallin on a 6-3 aggregate score. Besek spoke about the level of the opponents and said that although he knows the philosophy of Scottish football, Hearts posses a number of foreigners which can give them that extra edge in their play.

However, in a very bold statement, the Birkirkara Coach made it clear that his team wants only the victory. “Of course I expect us to beat Hearts. Nobody goes to a match to lose. If you're going to play, you want to win. We grow from match to match and I believe in this team. We have the quality and after tomorrow's match we can compare our levels”

Besek has the latest two signings, Bruno Marotti and Dejan Djordjevic available for selection. Frank Temile has also finally arrived in Malta after facing some bureaucratic problems on his way back. Nikola Vukanac is still doubtful as he is in the last stages of his recovery, despite training with the team for the last days. Predrag Jovic, who was forced to be substituted, has not recovered from his muscular injury.

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