Kriushenko to take charge of Belarus
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
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Igor Kriushenko is to coach Belarus in tandem with his club job at Torpedo Zhodino, the 53-year-old having made his name by winning national titles with BATE Borisov in 2006 and 2007.
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Igor Kriushenko has taken temporary command of Belarus, the position having been vacant since Aleksandr Khatskevich's departure in December 2016.
"We need experience, but also players who are ready to battle and have desire," said the new coach. "We don't have that much of a chance to qualify, but the players need to fight in every game for our country. I can promise that I'll do my best to justify this appointment. Hopefully the lads will help me in giving joy to our fans."
The 53-year-old will coach the national team in tandem with Torpedo Zhodino, the team he led to Belarusian Cup success in 2016. Kriushenko made his name as a coach by leading BATE Borisov to national title successes in 2006 and 2007 – and a Belarusian Cup in 2006. A league runner-up with hometown club Dinamo Minsk in 2008, he later steered Sibir Novosibirsk to the 2010 Russian Cup final and the UEFA Europa League play-offs.
Belarus are second from bottom in Group A in the European Qualifiers having taken two points from four games. Khatskevich stepped aside having set a target of seven points and a place in the top three following those fixtures.
