The Blue-and-Yellows did not qualify for the World Cup after losing to Wales
Head coach of the Ukrainian national team Alexander Petrakov commented on the defeat in the match against Wales (0:1) in the final qualification for World Cup in Qatar. The mentor asked not to criticize the players and said that Ukraine was unlucky today.
“I wanted our team to be remembered. The guys did everything they could. I don’t know what to say… we did our best. I would like to apologize for not scoring today. This is a sport. Today we didn’t have enough goals scored, ”Petrakov said.
“The future of the Ukrainian national team? Our next game is June 8th. Now we start playing in the League of Nations.”
“I didn’t see the moment from the penalty spot – I won’t comment. There was total silence in the locker room after the match. This is sport, this is football. Some were lucky today, others weren’t.”
“I don’t plan to call anyone from new players to the national team. Now there will be a rotation, other guys will play in the League of Nations. Those who played today will not play on June 8th. Today I chose the same players because I am the head coach.”
“I can only thank Yarmolenko for everything he did for the national team. I have no complaints about my players. I ask journalists not to criticize the players, it is better to criticize me. The team wins and the coach loses.
“Everyone knows that the war continues in our country. People, children, women are dying. The enemy does a lot of damage. Our guys from the Armed Forces of Ukraine are fighting. We ask everyone to support our country, God forbid that this grief comes to you. We are here now, and people are dying there. I want to tell the guys from the front that we did everything we could.”
The only goal of the meeting was scored by Andriy Yarmolenko, sending the ball into the net of his own goal. On June 1, Alexander Petrakov’s team beat Scotland (3:1) in the semi-finals of the qualification. The Wales national team had previously dealt with Austria (2:1).
At the World Cup in Qatar, Wales will play in the same group with England, the USA and Iran.
Source: Sportarena
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
