Ivan
03-21-2001, 12:45 AM
<b>Valencia better than Slovenia, Karpin says </b>
MOSCOW, March 20 (Reuters)(DS) - Russia international Valery
Karpin rates Saturday's World Cup opponents Slovenia weaker than
Valencia, the Spanish club he hit a hat-trick against last
weekend.
Midfielder Karpin, who led Celta Vigo to a 3-2 win over
Valencia in the Spanish first division last Sunday, was speaking
in the run-up to Russia's World Cup European group one qualifier
against Slovenia in Moscow.
"Let me say this: Valencia are a much stronger team than the
Slovenian national side," the Celta Vigo midfielder was quoted
as saying in Tuesday's edition of Sport-Express newspaper.
Valencia have shown fine form in European competition during
the past two seasons. They reached the Champions League final
last year and are through to the quarter-finals this season.
Karpov spoke dismissively of Slovenia's top player, Valencia
playmaker Zlatko Zahovic.
"He rarely can make the first team at Valencia," Karpov
said. "To be more accurate you can say that he is not playing."
Russia lead group one with six points from two matches.
Slovenia are second with five points from three games.
Heheheh, good thing that "Valencia" are not in our group :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
MOSCOW, March 20 (Reuters)(DS) - Russia international Valery
Karpin rates Saturday's World Cup opponents Slovenia weaker than
Valencia, the Spanish club he hit a hat-trick against last
weekend.
Midfielder Karpin, who led Celta Vigo to a 3-2 win over
Valencia in the Spanish first division last Sunday, was speaking
in the run-up to Russia's World Cup European group one qualifier
against Slovenia in Moscow.
"Let me say this: Valencia are a much stronger team than the
Slovenian national side," the Celta Vigo midfielder was quoted
as saying in Tuesday's edition of Sport-Express newspaper.
Valencia have shown fine form in European competition during
the past two seasons. They reached the Champions League final
last year and are through to the quarter-finals this season.
Karpov spoke dismissively of Slovenia's top player, Valencia
playmaker Zlatko Zahovic.
"He rarely can make the first team at Valencia," Karpov
said. "To be more accurate you can say that he is not playing."
Russia lead group one with six points from two matches.
Slovenia are second with five points from three games.
Heheheh, good thing that "Valencia" are not in our group :D :D :D :D :D :D :D