Igor Tsigirlash

Football player infobox
playername = Igor Tigirlas


dateofbirth = birth date and age|1984|2|24
cityofbirth = Chisinau
countryofbirth = USSR
height = height|meter=1.79
currentclub = FK Ventspils
position = midfielder, winger
clubnumber = 22
nickname = "Tsyga"
youthyears = 2000-2002
2002-2004
youthclubs = Sheriff Tiraspol
Shakhtar Donetsk
years = 2005-2006
2007 (spring)
2007 -
clubs = FC Kharkiv
Zimbru Chişinău
FK Ventspils
caps(goals) = 0? (?)
015 (1)
025 (6)
nationalyears = 2003-2006
2007 -
nationalteam = Moldova U21
Moldova
nationalcaps(goals) = 21 (6)
5 (0)
pcupdate = September 10, 2008
ntupdate = September 17, 2008

Igor Tigirlas or Igor Tsigirlash (born February 24, 1984) - famous football midfielder from Moldova, presently - one of the best Moldavian players. His current club is FK Ventspils, he is also player of national team of Moldova. He is favourite player of most supporters for his excellent original technique and high speed, which can essentially increase performance of his team.

Career

Igor Tigirlas started his football career ar youth football school in Chisinau. His first coach was legendary Nikolay Esin, after that he continued his education under another legendary coach - Anatolii Nesmeyanov. At 16 years old he was invited to Moldova U-17 team, which participated at "Football Federation of Moldova Cup". Having scored 2 goals and making 2 assists in three matches, and showing excellent performance, after the tournament he was invited by Moldova Champions - FC "Sheriff".

Tigirlas played 2 years for Sheriff second team and to drew the attention of FC Shakhter Donetk, and soon he signed the contract with Ukrainian giant. From that team he got to Moldova U-21 team and became stable player of first 11 team, having played more than 20 matches.

In 2004 he was transferred to another Ukrainian team - FC Kharikov, where, thanks to his universalism (Tigirlas is able to play on the right or left flank, forward or offensive player), for 2 years have been one of the most important players of the team. Despite being one of the leaders, after Vladimir Bessonov was named new head coach of FC Kharikov, club parted with Tigirlas and most of foreign players.

In spring of 2007 Igor Tigirlas came to Zimbru Chisinau on loan from FC Kharikov , where he become one of the brightest stars in Moldova of that period. He played 10 matches in Moldavian championship, scored 1 goal, made 9 assists and was highly appreciated by supporters and specialists. In semifinal Moldova Cup 2006/07 match against Sheriff he played with injury, but in the poll on the official Zimbru site was voted man of the match. In the Moldova Cup final Zimbru won against Nistru, and Tigirlas won his first trophy in career. Despite playing at Zimbru only 3 months, in the end of the year he was included in symbolic "Zimbru 2006/07 Ideal Team". » [ [http://www.zimbru.md/?ps_id=2_1&page=23&id=834 Zimbru 2006/07 Ideal Team] FC «Zimbru» official site] ..

In the same 2007 year two more national trophies were won by Igor Tigirlas. Summer Latvian champions FK Ventspils bought his transfer from FC Kharikov. And Tigirlas won championship and Latvia Cup, and plays in Baltic Leafue final, being one of leaders of the team. When "Tsiga" came to FK Ventspils, this team was 14 points behind leaders Metallurg Liepaja and had only theoretical chances to win title. However, in the extremely important face-to-face match FK Ventspils won against his biggest rivals. The game were finishing with 0:0, when Igor Tigirlas scored phenomenal amazing goal to bring win to his team. According to opinion of the specialists, namely this goal was key for the title clash. after that lose demoralized Metallurg Liepaja lost a lot of points in next matches while FK Ventspils won all remaining matches and won title!

In the 2008 Igor Tigirlas continued the same bright as previous year. First, he showed excellent performance during "Commonwealth Cup - 2008" in St-Petersburg (just another incredible goal, 2 assists and scored penalty in shoot-out match). He continued to score for his team in the national championship and Cup matches. Despite he implements a lot of work in defence, he already scored 4 goals in the championship and 2 goals in the Latvia Cup. The Moldavian midfielder could win another title, but his team sensationally lost to Daugava.

Champions League (8 matches)

In the same 2007 year Tigirlas debuted in UEFA Champions League, where he played 4 matches. In the 1st qualifying round FK Ventspils won against Walse champions - TNK, in the 2nd round Latvian team was eliminated by "Red Bull-Salzburg" (Austria). Before first match between FK Ventspils and Red Bull, head coach of Austrian team notable Giovanni Trapattoni personally distinguish Igor Tigirlas:

— I watched FK Ventspils in Wales and noticed good technique of the team, its equilibrium on the field and tactical competence. However in the 2nd qualifying round of champions League there no other teams. In Wales I marked out performance of players with number 9, 17 and 22 (Igot Tigirlas), - said Italian coach. [ [http://www.fkventspils.lv/?p=news&off=23&id=944 Giovanni Trapattoni about Igor Tigirlas] FK «Ventspils» official site] .

In 2008/2009 season FK Ventspils was close to 3rd qulifying round of Champions League. FK Ventspils lost away in the last minutes to Norwegian side SK Brann in 1st leg. In seconde leg, despite playing in 10 men after a their player was sent off, FK Ventspils was leading 2:0 after half time. But finally norwegians managed to score a goal and to win on aggregate, to meet in latest round famous Olympique de Marseille.

Moldova National team

Until 2006 Igor Tigirlas was key player of Moldova U-21 team, which he played 21 match for. Winter 2007 Tigirlas was invited for the first time to National team of Moldova. at the moment he played there 3 matches and has some more call-ups.

Achievements

* Moldova Champions with Sheriff - 2001/2002
* Moldova vice-champion with Zimbru - 2006/2007
* Moldova Cup winner with Zimbru — 2007.
* Latvia Champion with FK Ventspils — 2007
* Latvia Cup winner with FK Ventspils — 2007.
* Baltic League finalist - 2007
* Latvia Cup finalist — 2008

Interesting facts

* Igor Tigirlas's debut in the National team of Moldova have contemporized with debut of Igor Dobrovolisky as head coach.

* In September 2007 Igor Tigirlas couldn't play for Moldova in Euro-2008 qualifying matches against Norway and Bosnia because of his wedding. Point is that he have planned and set his wedding-day during his play for Moldova U-21 team and before his debut for National team. To all appearances, Moldova head coach Igor Dobrovolisky was offended, because he invited Tigirlas to national team camp for matches against Turkey and Malta, but did not use in the games. Despite being one of the best players in Moldova, Igor Tigirlas was not invited to National team for next friendly matches. However, finnaly he was called back to National team for WC-2010 qualifying matches.

Footnotes

Links

* [http://www.moldfootball.com/index.php?index=news&news=1868 Igor Tigirlas: «I should progress further»] Exclusive interview for popular site moldfootball.com, January 17, 2008 (rus)
* [http://www.moldfootball.com/index.php?index=news&news=2338 Igor Tigirlas — universal player] March 29, 2008 (rus)
* [http://www.moldfootball.com/index.php?index=news&news=1892 Ventspils coach on Igor Tigirlas] January 20, 2008 (rus)
* [http://www.fkventspils.lv/?p=players&id=22 Igor Tigirlas profile on FK "Ventspils" official site]
*FIFA player|299923