ARTSIOM KANTSAVY: PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW

On the eve of the final match of the Premier League 2022, our midfielder Artsiom Kantsavy gave a short interview. We discussed with Artsiom the results of the last month, the situation in the camp of the Blue-Whites, as well as the success of the football player in the Dinamo-Minsk team.

Artsiom, you are one of the most secretive players of our team and I would like to start by asking how are you doing in general? How hard has this last month been?

- In principle, if you take it as a whole, then everything is fine. The last month has been difficult in terms of emotions and the number of matches, but I can say that my whole year turned out like this, so I just go to my goal and try not to look at the difficulties.

Now we are waiting for the match, which will finally decide the fate of the championship medals. In this struggle, unfortunately, not everything depends on us. Could this have some additional negative effect on the team?

- I'm sure that everyone will come to this match fully charged and eager to win. Still, we did not lose in the championship for a long time and the defeat from Energetik had its impact. We want to win this match and then look at the circumstances in other matches.

The first match against Energetik-BDU was probably the hardest blow for you this season. Why do you think the game turned out the way it did?

- To be honest, you can refer to many reasons, including the field. But in general we were in an equal conditions.  It appears that this match was won by the team that more wanted to win.

This season, Dinamo-Minsk has only three defeats, but a large number of draws, especially goalless draws. Is it because of the conversion or because the opponent played tough in defense?

- Well, it's more in our scoring abilities. We had good chances in almost every match, but either bad skills or bad luck...

Do you agree with the popular opinion that the level of teams in the Belarus Championship is now really leveling out?

- It seems to me that you can look at it differently, but in general, as for me, the championship 2-3 years ago was approximately the same level as it is now.

Your six months in Dinamo-Minsk - how can you describe them? Are you satisfied in principle with the fact that in July you signed a contract with our team?

- Yes, I am certainly satisfied, I understood well where I was going and realized what was waiting for me here. The staff and team are great, but of course there's a lot of bad feelings from the way we played these last important matches.

The most memorable match for you this season?

- For me, it was probably my debut match in the Conference League and, in principle, my debut match for Dinamo-Minsk. The game turned out to be very good, both in terms of emotions and the atmosphere that was in Israel.

If you think from a theoretical point of view, what did we lack this year to keep our leading positions in the standings?

- We did not have enough experience in decisive matches, in matches where you just need to bring the ball into the goal. Still, we have enough young guys in the team, mistakes are inevitable and sometimes, unfortunately, they affected the result.

It so happened that a lot of players in Dinamo you were good friends with before joining our club. Does it help in terms of the atmosphere in the team?

- Yes, of course, no doubts: all the guys are very good, friendly, I really know many of them for a long time and therefore I can only say positive words about the mood in the team.

If it's not a secret, how are you getting ready for this Saturday match? What is your additional good motivation?

- With great desire and redoubled energy. An additional motivation can be called the fact that we have not yet lost the chances for bronze and we need to do everything possible first of all from ourselves.

Can the final round of the championship bring any additional surprises?

- I don't know, I'm probably not ready to give any forecasts. For many, this is a decisive match, there will be a tense struggle, but I won’t talk about surprises anyway.

The Premier League is just a few days away from its end, but in two weeks our team needs to play the match of 1/8 Belarus Cup, which will be held in Slutsk. Will it be hard to stay in good shape at this time, especially given the pause for the national team?

- I think everyone understands that the cup is also a chance to get to the European matches, as well as prestige and every club wants to win it. We will approach the match on November 26 no less responsibly than the championship matches.

Regardless of the result of Round 30, what can you say to your teammates and fans?

- To everyone in the team, I will say only positive words and gratitude for this season. Well, I address no less kind words to our fans, we see the support us and we are really sorry that we could not justify their hopes this season.