Belanov speaks out

Press, 18 June 1986, Page 42

Belanov speaks out

NZPA-AFP Irapuato The tragic hat-trick hero, Igor Belanov, has lashed the defenders he reckons sabotaged the Soviet Union’s World Cup campaign. , Belanov, one of nine Dynamo Kiev players in the side that started the dramatic second round match with Belgium in Leon on Monday, is only the second man in World Cup history to score a hat-trick and still end up on the losing team. But learning he had got into the record books for that kind of doubtful achievement only made Belanov, aged 25, angrier. “The defenders played like kids. It’s just unbelievable. They were beaten by every Belgian

cross.” The Soviets, who had crushed Hungary 6-0 in their opening first round match, twice led but their dreams turned into a nightmare as Belgium came back to win, 4-3, after extra time. Belanov is not the only one to have sent crashing the red curtain of silence. The backlash is widespread. People are already wondering if the manager, Valery Lobanovksy’s time is not up after less than five weeks in charge. Mr Lobanovsky, having steered Dynamo Kiev to an outstanding European Cup Winners’ final triumph, got the national job on May 13. He replaced Eduard Malofeyev who was dismissed

after a disastrous run of I results by the national i team. I Mr Lobanovsky critic- : ised his team for making » “really incredible defen- [ slve errors” against Bel- , gium and then became an invisible figure as his r players tried to digest what had happened. f The man who could do ; nothing wrong a couple of days ago suddenly can ' do no right He is notably ■ under fire for not bringi ing on the vastly experii enced Dynamo Tbilisi i sweeper, Alexander Chivadze, in place of Besso- ; nov, more a defensive > midfield player, to seal i the result I The Soviets, who leave 1 for home tomorrow, are admitting over-confid-ence was part of their I undoing.