Tornike Orkiashvili is the only player in the composition of the National team of Georgia who is steadily playing in the European Football Championship, being a leading player of the FC Genk. The last season was extremely good for Okriashvili. In the first place he brilliantly kicked the ball into in to the goals of the Irish team. Okri also showed his worth in the game with Gibraltar team. We interviewed Tornike about his coach, Mr. Alex Maklish, about his possible transfer to FC Werder, about the situation in the National team of Georgia and forthcoming match against the German team.
- In the Belgium Championship the FC Genk is the second after the FC Lokeren in the number of matches that ended in a draw. What was the reason for that?
- This is a general problem of our team, and one could easily notice it just at the beginning of the championship until Maklish joined the team, but even after his coming we played several games which ended in a draw. The whole team has been working on the solution of this problem. We missed several opportunities to win and as a result we have lagged behind and are on the 6th place in the ranking list. Things will turn up better if we learn how to carry out our chances to score. If you look at the tournament table and examine their transfer policy you can easily understand that the club management has no ambitious plans despite the fact that Alex Maklish is a very ambitious personality. As other teams do we are struggling for the title of the champion but, unfortunately, it is not realistic at the current stage. This year our task is to stay at the 6th place and qualify for the European League’ play off.
- How do you evaluate your game style? You played quite a number of matchers this season but scored only goal…
- Despite the fact that I am playing as a forward I often have to go back and control the passes in the position of semi-defender and it is extremely difficult to score a goal from that position. So, I begin the attack but I am not able to finalize it. I had a discussion with our coach about the situation, he exactly knows my line and during the next match against FC Ostende I will play as an attacking forward.
- Mr. Junter Jakob, Sport Director of the club was fired. There was information in the Belgian mass media that he was dismissed because of the wrong selection policy, including your transfer.
- This is an idiotic idea and I think it is not worth to discuss it. Jakob had no relation to my transfer and the question of my transfer to Genk was solved by the club’s president. I feel good in Belgium and it was not my fault that Jakob was fired.
- At the opening of the transfer window they actively discussed your transfer to FC Werder, but the latter declined the offer telling that Okriashvili was not of any interest to them. Was there any real interest towards you from FC Werder or any other clubs?
- FC Werder was initially interested but they received a negative reply from FC Genk and quickly changed their minds. I am not in a hurry and wish to prove my capabilities playing for the FC Genk. So, I want to show the high level performance in Belgium… The main point for me is to finalize my performance during the current season in Genk but I will always have an ambition to play in the top league.
- They had a survey in one of the web pages in Belgium whether you were ready to play for the top club. 76% of the respondents replied that you were not mentally ready to play for the top club.
- I think that the Genk’s fans were not willing to let me go… That is why the reply was like that… I am not able to provide subjective self-rating whether I will be able to play for the top club or not, but during the matches against Spain and France teams I tried to show my actual capabilities.
- How do you assess the activity of Alex Maklish? We know that British coach is notable for the strict discipline…
- Maklish is a very good personality and a professional coach too. It is not difficult and at the same time not easy to work with him, but he gives me good experience and knowledge.
- What can you tell us about Luka Zarandia? Why is it difficult for him to show his actual worth there? He is doing well in friendly matches but they give him no chances during the official games.
- As a matter of fact Luka is a talented player, but I have no idea why do they not let him play… I am looking forward to playing with him, but my wish is not enough… Hope Maklish will give him a chance… he is a promising player…
- Let us talk about the National team of Georgia. Have you ever had any relations with Tskhadadze and what is your opinion about the situation in the National team?
- I had nothing to do with Tskhadadze but I have heard a lot of positive things about him. I have no idea about kind of changes to take place in the National team. It is a good idea to attract more young players but actually they should select those who are ready for that. We need experienced players badly. They have been having too many young players in the team lately and I think that was one of the problems.
- Too what extent the football players feel the responsibility for the lost games? It is extremely difficult to come to the right conclusions in the heat of the moment. Do you discuss problematic situations with your team mates? Can you keep your head cool and at the same time have courage to express your ideas?
- We often have discussion about the changes which should take place in our style or performance. Of course it is just one thing to notice a mistake while you are on the pitch and quite another thing to correct it in reality. All members of the National team are doing their best for the better performance. You mentioned the “presence of mind” and “courage” I agree, we actually experience the lack of these qualities. Our National team has a new coach and we do hope that thing will improve soon. We are looking forward to the ending of the series of defeats and improving of the situation for the better. I am sure that we will manage it with the new coach…
- Georgian National team will have two matches against the teams of Malta and Germany. What chances to win do we have with the World Champion? Should Tskhadadze change completely the style of the game?
- We must play the genuine Georgian football – more attacks and less defence… We have no big chances with the Germans but everything is possible in football you know… May be we will do it and make a surprise to the Georgian fans…
Otar Mumladze
Tornike Orkiashvili is the only player in the composition of the National team of Georgia who is steadily playing in the European Football Championship, being a leading player of the FC Genk. The last season was extremely good for Okriashvili. In the first place he brilliantly kicked the ball into in to the goals of the Irish team. Okri also showed his worth in the game with Gibraltar team. We interviewed Tornike about his coach, Mr. Alex Maklish, about his possible transfer to FC Werder, about the situation in the National team of Georgia and forthcoming match against the German team.
- In the Belgium Championship the FC Genk is the second after the FC Lokeren in the number of matches that ended in a draw. What was the reason for that?
- This is a general problem of our team, and one could easily notice it just at the beginning of the championship until Maklish joined the team, but even after his coming we played several games which ended in a draw. The whole team has been working on the solution of this problem. We missed several opportunities to win and as a result we have lagged behind and are on the 6th place in the ranking list. Things will turn up better if we learn how to carry out our chances to score. If you look at the tournament table and examine their transfer policy you can easily understand that the club management has no ambitious plans despite the fact that Alex Maklish is a very ambitious personality. As other teams do we are struggling for the title of the champion but, unfortunately, it is not realistic at the current stage. This year our task is to stay at the 6th place and qualify for the European League’ play off.
- How do you evaluate your game style? You played quite a number of matchers this season but scored only goal…
- Despite the fact that I am playing as a forward I often have to go back and control the passes in the position of semi-defender and it is extremely difficult to score a goal from that position. So, I begin the attack but I am not able to finalize it. I had a discussion with our coach about the situation, he exactly knows my line and during the next match against FC Ostende I will play as an attacking forward.
- Mr. Junter Jakob, Sport Director of the club was fired. There was information in the Belgian mass media that he was dismissed because of the wrong selection policy, including your transfer.
- This is an idiotic idea and I think it is not worth to discuss it. Jakob had no relation to my transfer and the question of my transfer to Genk was solved by the club’s president. I feel good in Belgium and it was not my fault that Jakob was fired.
- At the opening of the transfer window they actively discussed your transfer to FC Werder, but the latter declined the offer telling that Okriashvili was not of any interest to them. Was there any real interest towards you from FC Werder or any other clubs?
- FC Werder was initially interested but they received a negative reply from FC Genk and quickly changed their minds. I am not in a hurry and wish to prove my capabilities playing for the FC Genk. So, I want to show the high level performance in Belgium… The main point for me is to finalize my performance during the current season in Genk but I will always have an ambition to play in the top league.
- They had a survey in one of the web pages in Belgium whether you were ready to play for the top club. 76% of the respondents replied that you were not mentally ready to play for the top club.
- I think that the Genk’s fans were not willing to let me go… That is why the reply was like that… I am not able to provide subjective self-rating whether I will be able to play for the top club or not, but during the matches against Spain and France teams I tried to show my actual capabilities.
- How do you assess the activity of Alex Maklish? We know that British coach is notable for the strict discipline…
- Maklish is a very good personality and a professional coach too. It is not difficult and at the same time not easy to work with him, but he gives me good experience and knowledge.
- What can you tell us about Luka Zarandia? Why is it difficult for him to show his actual worth there? He is doing well in friendly matches but they give him no chances during the official games.
- As a matter of fact Luka is a talented player, but I have no idea why do they not let him play… I am looking forward to playing with him, but my wish is not enough… Hope Maklish will give him a chance… he is a promising player…
- Let us talk about the National team of Georgia. Have you ever had any relations with Tskhadadze and what is your opinion about the situation in the National team?
- I had nothing to do with Tskhadadze but I have heard a lot of positive things about him. I have no idea about kind of changes to take place in the National team. It is a good idea to attract more young players but actually they should select those who are ready for that. We need experienced players badly. They have been having too many young players in the team lately and I think that was one of the problems.
- Too what extent the football players feel the responsibility for the lost games? It is extremely difficult to come to the right conclusions in the heat of the moment. Do you discuss problematic situations with your team mates? Can you keep your head cool and at the same time have courage to express your ideas?
- We often have discussion about the changes which should take place in our style or performance. Of course it is just one thing to notice a mistake while you are on the pitch and quite another thing to correct it in reality. All members of the National team are doing their best for the better performance. You mentioned the “presence of mind” and “courage” I agree, we actually experience the lack of these qualities. Our National team has a new coach and we do hope that thing will improve soon. We are looking forward to the ending of the series of defeats and improving of the situation for the better. I am sure that we will manage it with the new coach…
- Georgian National team will have two matches against the teams of Malta and Germany. What chances to win do we have with the World Champion? Should Tskhadadze change completely the style of the game?
- We must play the genuine Georgian football – more attacks and less defence… We have no big chances with the Germans but everything is possible in football you know… May be we will do it and make a surprise to the Georgian fans…
Otar Mumladze