Head Coach Adrian Heath
On the changes to the lineup from Saturday’s game to tonight and the performance of the group…
“I thought we were excellent all evening. Matt’s [Glaeser] got a really good little group here. They’re well-organized, they’re highly motivated and we knew it was going to be tough. But we set us ourselves up nice and early, we kept playing the ball wide, stretching them as much as we could. I don’t Tyler [Miler] had a save to make all evening. Against a highly motivated, well-organized team, I think it was very professional and disciplined performance from our guys, in really difficult conditions.”
On Adrien Hunou’s goal tonight, alongside the goal he scored on Sunday…
“Yeah, always. Nothing like goals for a striker to get the confidence going. At least for Adrien [Hunou] obviously, I thought he worked really, really hard. I thought Nabi [Kibunguchy] and Brent Kallman were fabulous at times, and most of the team were. As I said, it was a difficult evening. We knew. The TV cameras were here for one reason, they thought there might be an upset, that’s what they always do in these Cup games. To come away with a 2-nil victory, which was probably comfortable in the end, I’m really, really pleased.”
On if he thought Adrien Hunou looked more comfortable playing as a number 10…
“Well I think he enjoys that more. I think he enjoys drifting around the field, taking them little pockets of space in behind the midfield players and trying to connect and combine. But as I’ve said to him, you still got to get in the box. At the end of the say, our attacking player are on the field for one thing: you’re either scoring a goal or making the goal. The other stuff, the defensive situation, the hard work, is a given. That should be a given. The reason that you pay the money for your front men is to score and make goals, that’s what the most expensive people in football.”
On how many more goals Adrien could have had with the chances created…
“Could have had? Could have had a couple in the first half. He had a good header and then the one that keeper [Phil Breno] made a really good save, the really close, he’d probably like that back. And then the one that, I think it was Fish [Oniel Fisher] cut back to it, he hit the target but he probably thinks he probably could have done a little bit better with it. But overall, I think it will do his confidence well.”
On the team breaking through with two setpiece goals…
“Well the delivery good but more importantly, we attacked the spaces like we had been talking about. Brent Kallman is very good when he doesn’t try to reach and fight for the ball, he just sets up and hopes to fight for the ball if it comes in his path, which is what happened with his goal. Then Adrien [Hunou] found that little spot in between.”
On who impressed on the night of the players who haven’t played many first team minutes…
“I thought Nabi [Kibunguchy]] was terrific. I can’t really remember any mistakes from him, certainly not important ones. I thought Joseph [Rosales] used the ball really well in midfield. On the whole, I thought it was a really professional performance from a really good group who were determined to get a result tonight.”
On where he sees Nabi Kibunguchy playing permanently given his minutes at defensive-midfield, center-back and full-back…
“Tonight’s performance has given us a bit of food for thought there because he’s quicker than people think. He’s sued to playing at full-back and midfield, he’s comfortable on the ball, got a good range of passing so he can play out through the back very well. He has a really good night, I was pleased for him.”
On the atmosphere at Breese Stevens Field…
“They’ve got a great little setup here. It was a good atmosphere within the stadium. I don’t think you could really see on the TV but the conditions weren’t ideal for the people that were coming to enjoy to watching football. But they did, they came out, they got behind their team and they can be very proud of what they put on this evening. Very professional. They looked after us really well and it bodes well for their future, for sure. This is a club that can grow.”
On Aziel Jackson’s performance tonight and his success with MNUFC2 so far this season…
“We know that there’s talent there with AZ [Aziel Jackson]. What we don’t know is he’s got the drive and the enthusiasm to bring it every single day. We had a few words a few weeks ago and I think he’s responded to that. He’s training harder and that’s what got him his little opportunity this evening. You work hard at training, you play well in reserve team games, then you put yourself in the manager’s thoughts and that’s what he’s done. But he has to maintain now. Coasting along Monday to Friday and then expect to turn it on at the weekend doesn’t work, never has, never will. We’re pretty demanding of him and if he listens to that, works really hard, then maybe he has a chance of having a career.”
On Chase Gasper’s return to the pitch and his immediate yellow card…
“No, and the way the referee was throwing the cards at the end, I was fearing he might get a red as well. Fortunately, he didn’t. It was nice to get him involved with the group, nice to get him some minutes again, albeit in difficult circumstances. He certainly enjoyed himself.”
On the status of the group that stayed in Minnesota…
“No, the only issue we have at home is Patrick [Weah], which is a long-term one, and Romain [Metanire]. I think Jo [Joseph Rosales] has picked up a little knock tonight, I don’t know how serious that will be. We’ll have a better idea in the morning. But it looks like everybody has come through unscathed. The group that we left behind worked really hard today and everybody will be in tomorrow.”
On the weather conditions…
“It was the Windy Night in Stoke City, that’s what everybody talks about. It was about one of them nights. All we missed was Rory Delap. It would have made you feel at home. It was difficult conditions but it’s the same for both teams and you get on with it.”
