LThe Libyan National Team decided to hire a Spaniard a couple of years ago to direct their project from the bench, this is Ricardo Iniguez. Fate has wanted that this Saturday they have to face Spain in search of a qualification to the round of 16 that would be historic. Fede Vidal’s men will be on the waywho will try to win the match with the greatest goal difference to try to access the next round as group winners.
Raised in Valencian futsalRicardo proved his worth after ascending to the first division with the penis schoolalthough his previous resume does not leave anyone indifferent. This success opened the doors of the ‘Libyan’ bench for him. An adventure that is being solved with flying colors and that this Saturday will measure forces with Spain.
Ask. What is the futsal culture like in Libya?
Answer. They really like futsal. It is a sport that is rooted in Libyan culture. They hold many tournaments in Ramadan and gamble money. There is a lot of love for futsal, they are the parties they have, because they don’t have parties like in Spain, their parties are these tournaments.
Q. In terms of infrastructure, what did you find when you arrived in this country?
R. They are weak there because they have just come out of a war. Little by little they are trying to rebuild everything. The pavilions that remain are good but old. There they have to look for a renewal, but little by little the country is rebuilding.
Q. What is the futsal player like in Libya?
R. They are technically very good, the typical African one-on-one player. There are also those with another profile that is more of a playmaker, more of a gamer. They are very happy players. When you see a match in a tournament where they don’t have a coach, they don’t even retreat there, it becomes a back-and-forth.
Q. What has been your main mission since you have been Libya’s coach?
R. What we try is to organize them, try to get them to do four things well and with those four things we can do harm. Above all, technical-tactical aspects about how to use the legs, how to orient the body, how to perform that first control… These are small things that give them that point of quality. Little by little they are taking it and improving it.
Q. In this World Cup you achieved something unprecedented for Libya: winning your first match in this competition. How did they celebrate it?
R. They took us to dinner that day. The ambassador came, congratulated us and they gave each of the players money. The truth is that it was something very nice. They come from a very difficult stage, they have lost many family members and having joy like this is very important.
Q. What is Libya’s objective in this World Cup?
R. We have achieved the first objective, which was to win a game and play a good role. The match on Saturday due to the schedule, which is the historic one in futsal, will be seen by everyone and we want to give a great image.
Q. On Saturday you ‘face’ your country and both teams need a good result for the round of 16, how do you approach the match against Spain?
R. The important thing is to hold on for the first 5 minutes. They are going to push very hard, but the idea is not to lock us back. We are going to try to raise the lines, have the ball and try to play our game. From there we will have more options, if we lock ourselves in and give them the ball it will be impossible.
Q. What is Libya’s main asset for this match?
R. I think we can play with Spain’s anxiety about needing to score more goals. Although the problem is that Spain should have beaten Kazakhstan, it didn’t and now we can ‘pay the price’. But I tell them, in each action there will be the classification. If we go 3-0, we have to defend the 4-0 no matter what because maybe it’s in that goal.
Q. You have already proven to be a team that goes all out, will it be the same on Saturday?
R. We are going to go out and win. In fact, first we are going to play the points and then we will play the goals. If the points are there to be taken, obviously, we are going to take them, obviously.
Q. What do you think Spain is missing in this tournament to finally find its game and be more effective in front of goal?
R. It is a psychological issue, what Spain has to do is let go. I have seen Portugal, for example, and I see Spain as much superior. They are young people, very hungry, but they have to take a step forward. In fact, if Spain gets Portugal, Portugal will have to be worried, not Spain. If that happens and you eliminate them, you have one frame left to win.
Q. If you had to highlight any player from the Spanish National Team, who would it be?
R. I would stay with Gordillo and Mellado or Catela. Respecting everyone else because they are all great.
