The match with Ireland will take place on June 8
Midfielder of the national team of Ukraine Sergei Sidorchuk spoke about the state of the national team after the absence from the 2022 World Cup and on the eve of the start of performances in the new Nations League. According to him, the blue-yellows have no problems with the mood to play against Ireland.
“How important is it to play for the national team? First of all, this is the main team of our country. I have already said that when you start playing football at the age of 7-8, there is only one team – the national team. Everyone knows what the moment is in Ukraine, especially since there is an opportunity to draw attention to Ukraine. This is the most important moment.”
“Zaporozhye? I want to note that Russian troops have not yet reached Zaporozhye. They are now in the region, 50-60 km from Zaporozhye. My mother and father, grandmother, my wife’s parents – all relatives are now in the city. Now everything is relatively calm there, but they are in the city. And most importantly, the flag of Ukraine flutters over Zaporozhye.”
“After the defeat against Wales, we returned to the hotel. Immediately after the game there was silence, this has never happened in my entire career. For about an hour after that, no one even left the rooms and I wanted to be alone. Then they started talking. The next day, Petrakov said that the peasants must remain peasants, and we must turn this page, no matter how hard it may be for us. For some of us it was the last chance to get to the World Cup. Tomorrow is a new story, a new tournament. Therefore, all thoughts are only on tomorrow’s match.
“I think it’s easy to tune in to the game. For the first matches, when we just traveled with the clubs, it was more difficult. And now, when you see feedback from the Ukrainians, from the military, who watch the matches on the front line, everything goes easier.”
“Defend Ukraine with weapons? I cannot be responsible for all the players, but there are enough athletes who have taken up arms. When it all started, there was an abyss and you didn’t know what to do, where to go. President Zelensky said in his address that every person who can help Ukraine and the army in his place should do it. I think that we are now in our place and helping.”
Ukraine will play Ireland on June 8. The beginning is at 21:45 Kyiv time. The Irish have already played their first match in the Nations League, losing to Armenia (0:1).
Earlier, the team of Alexander Petrakov lost to Wales (0:1) in the playoff final of the 2022 World Cup qualification.
Source: Sportarena
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