Vitaliy Levchenko, a well-known Tajik specialist who is familiar to Ukrainian fans from his performances with Dynamo Kyiv, CSKA Kyiv and Tavria Simferopol, explained the reasons why Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Khusrav Toirov was not called up to the Tajik national team to participate in the Asian Cup.
- The Tajik national team went to its first-ever Asian Cup without Shakhtar midfielder Khusrav Toirov, despite not having any star names in its squad. Why do you think he was not included in the application?
- He just doesn't behave properly when he comes to the Tajik national or Olympic team. He puts himself above the other guys. That's why he's not called up.
In addition, he is not suitable in terms of playing qualities. Toirov pulls the blanket over himself, he is not a team player. Besides, he doesn't shine at Shakhtar either, he hardly plays for the first team.
If you play for a Ukrainian giant like Shakhtar, you have to show on the pitch that you have not been brought to such a club for nothing. A footballer has to prove that he deserves it through his performance, not through any agency options.
The Tajikistan national team coaches looked at it, thought about it, and decided to give up on Toirov so that the atmosphere in the team would be positive and friendly, and the team game would not be built on one player taking the ball and carrying it around, trying to beat five people, which ends in a loss.
That is why Toirov is not currently in demand by the Tajik national team.
- What are his behavioural problems?
- When there is a team schedule, all players must follow it and adhere to the requirements set by the coach - both in the national and Olympic teams. And he can afford to go for a walk somewhere and come to the team's hotel with some girl. What coach would like that?
- Can we say that Toirov developed a "star disease" after joining Shakhtar, or did he have problems with discipline before?
- I don't know what he was like before. When a footballer signs a contract with a big club like Shakhtar, which has a name in Europe, he has to use his head and remember which club he represents.
If he develops 'star sickness', it means that psychologists at the club should work with him, explaining what his behaviour should be. The sooner he gets his head together and changes his attitude to football and life, the better for him and the club.
- How do the fans in Tajikistan feel about the decision of the national team coaching staff not to call up Toirov?
- Facts are stubborn things. Therefore, when all these moments with his behaviour appeared, the fans, of course, understood everything. At first, there was a stir around his not being called up, but then, when everyone knew everything, no one asked questions about his absence. That's why it's not even on the agenda in Tajikistan right now.
- Do you think that Toirov might need to change clubs, go on loan somewhere to restart his career?
- I think this option will be considered. He was initially recruited to fulfil the requirements set by Shakhtar. He had to understand where he was going and what problems he would face.
Shakhtar has its own academy. It trains quality players who represent the Donetsk club in the Ukrainian national teams. There is fierce competition in the team. A player must be mentally prepared for it and must give up something if he wants to play in such a big club.