Dobrovolski: We'll play offensive football

Moldova will play an offensive football against Latvia, head coach Igor Dobrovolski told today a news conference ahead of Moldova's first World Cup qualifier on Saturday. “I can admit no possibility whatsoever that my pupils will take a step backward and lock themselves behind the median line, no matter who the rival is”, declared Dobrovolski. Asked to comment on the statements by Latvia's coach Alexandr Starkov that Moldova is the favorite of tomorrow's game, Dobrovolski said those were just talks and the game alone can show who's the favorite. “No one takes into account FIFA's rankings anymore. The used criteria are quite subjective and they exist merely for the sake of statistics”. Irony marked Dobrovolski's answer to the question whether the absence of Nicolae Josan and Alexandru Gatcan could influence the outcome of the match: “I don't give a toss about those football players; I didn't even invite them to join the squad. The desire to play has no connection with the citizenship you hold. It seems to me the word patriotism means nothing to such footballers.” Moldova will kick off its World Cup qualifying campaign with a match against Latvia, due to start on Saturday at 19:00 at the Tiraspol-based Sheriff Arena.