Srečko Katanec, the Macedonian national team coach, was one of the not too many visitors on Philip II of Macedon Arena in Skopje on the match between Rabotnicki and Renova. He still has not announced the squad for the following qualifier against Netherlands, so a player from the championship is still not excluded.
Before the match between Macedonia and Netherlands, Katanec followed the derby of the 21st round from the Macedonian league. His squad is still not announced and it is expected to be on Thursday. Players' meeting is scheduled for 26th of April for Utrecht, Netherlands. In a short interview for daily newspaper 'Dnevnik' he stated his opinion on several matters.
Katanec: – We are not running away from our fans, but there's not good enough infrastructure here. Where can we train? That is why we make our final preparations abroad. I would like to have more matches at home in front of our fans and not only 3 in the last 3 years. (note: against Bulgaria, Nigeria and Serbia).
He once again stated that he will leave Macedonia's bench after the end of this qualifications tournament or if the national team loses all the chances for reaching at least second place. – I will respect the fact that journalists like me to leave the position, but you should also look back and see my results. We were around 100th on the FIFA/Coca – Cola ranking list and now we are on 46th place, said Katanec.
– It is a fact that if we had won over Iceland it would have been different. We wouldn't have talked about lack of confidence, but instead of a way to surprise Netherlands and reach for the second position. We had chance, but that is football. I can't enter the pitch and score a goal myself. Scotland without much created chances won 2-1 in Reykjavík, we lost, continued Katanec.
Katanec used the opportunity to tell about the different approach to the matches by the referees. – I have never felt that difference when coachin Slovenia. Regarding Macedonia, even referees are not the same.