Kirovski: ‘We fought really hard’
Jovan Kirovski’s welcomed a national-team return after an unhappy season in Germany’s Second Division.SOCCER AMERICA: What are your thoughts on the team’s performance today? JOVAN KIROVSKI: It was a great result. I thought we fought really hard as a team, we played well and created some good chances. Honestly, the game could have gone either way. SA: And are you happy with where Bruce plays you? JK: Yeah, my best position is just behind the front two, which enables me to push forward. So, I’m delighted that he’s giving me a chance to play to my strengths. SA: Your penalty appeal was turned down today. Was it a genuine penalty? JK: Well, I believe it was a penalty, but the ref didn’t give it for some reason. SA: Next season, will you be at Fortuna Cologne, or will you be going back to Borussia Dortmund? JK: I’ll be going back to Dortmund and I’ll see out my contract there. I won’t be staying in Cologne. SA: What went wrong? JK: Me and the coach, Toni Schumacher, had some real problems. He had a real problem with me leaving the team and playing in U.S. Cup. I came over here and played in the U.S. Cup, and I’m glad I did. But ever since I got back, he has hardly spoken to me. He treated me really badly. In the second half of the season, he didn’t play me hardly at all. It was just unbelievable. SA: But what about the times he fined you for not doing as he asked? JK: The fines are a joke. I didn’t do what he accused me of on either occasion. I would never do that [refuse to leave the field]. I’m not that kind of person, I’m not that kind of player. And look at the results. When I was starting, we were on course for promotion at the start of the season. Then, since he dropped me, in the second half of the season, they’re fighting relegation. You figure that one out. by Soccer America correspondent Duncan Irving