Sport Arena and the PFL determine the leading players in each league every week. The hero of the 15th round in the First League 2024/25, Ivan Bendera, spoke about the victory over Minaj (4:0), where he scored twice and earned a penalty
Epicenter played with FC Minai in the summer and this match became the decoration of four tournaments for the place of Dnepr-1 – 3:3 and the victory of the Transcarpathians on penalties. However, now, in the First League, Nagornyak’s team is higher in the table and has now taken impressive revenge for that summer trouble. The victory over the Transcarpathians with a crushing score was won thanks to a double from the young midfielder Bendery, who also earned a penalty for another goal. Of course, the Sport Arena and PFL jury could not help but pay tribute to such a strong performance by the winger.
The hero of the fifteenth round in the First League, Ivan Bendera, shared with Sport Arena his impressions of the long-awaited victory of Epicenter over Minai (4:0), and also recalled his stay in the structure of Shakhtar and Rukh.
– How unexpected and pleasant is it for you to be recognized as the best player of the tour in the First League?
– First of all, this is the merit of the whole team. We worked to achieve the desired result. I am grateful to my teammates and coaching staff, because without them I would not have been able to play such a high-quality match.
– Before the game with Minai, your team finished the previous three rounds with the same score 1:1. How much pressure did this series without victories put on the team? Have you already figured out the reasons for these results?
– I can’t say that there were any problems psychologically. Of course, I wasn’t happy with the result, but in football there are such series. We worked every day and didn’t get hung up on anyone’s work. We understood that soon we would still be able to win.
– What did the coaching staff focus on before the game with the Transcarpathians? You’ve definitely already studied this opponent…
– Of course, this is not the first time that Minaya’s game has been carefully analyzed. We understood that a difficult confrontation awaited us. We already had an unpleasant experience playing against the Transcarpathians, because we missed the opportunity to qualify for the UPL. It was important to go out and play our football. We are happy that we were finally able to break the streak without victories.
– It seemed that in the first half against Minai your team played more pragmatically. What is the reason to play more carefully?
– I can’t say that we played pragmatically. We tried to put high pressure and not let the opponent get closer to our goal. It is important that, finally, we had no problems with the implementation of this confrontation.
– Already in the 15th minute after Kravchuk’s cross, you opened the scoring. Remember this episode? It seemed that Daniil was shooting at Mironyuk…
– You need to ask Kravchuk about this. I needed to join this attack and try to send the ball into the net from outside the penalty area. I coped with my task.
– At the end of the first half of the meeting you earned a penalty kick, confidently converted by Kravchuk. Did you breathe a sigh of relief after this goal?
– You can say so, but you always need to remember that 2:0 is the most dangerous score that can be. During the break, the coach emphasized this to us. We came out and started playing even more actively in the second half of the match. I’m happy that we managed to score more, but the main thing is the result on the scoreboard.
– In the middle of the second half, after Lyashenko’s cross, you shot with one touch and left no chance for the goalkeeper. When was the last time you scored a double? Is this your most productive match recently?
– I don’t even remember if I ever scored twice in a match at the professional level. But I definitely scored in training. I hope that this is not my last take and that there is still more to come. I work every day for this.
– A 4:0 victory should have given the team the necessary confidence. What were they talking about in the locker room?
– We congratulated each other on the victory, but there was no euphoria. We understand that the whole struggle lies ahead. It is necessary to win every match and rise as high as possible in the table. We are capable of solving the most ambitious tasks.
– They say that there is more competition in Group B than in Group A. What can you say about this? Has the First League become stronger this year?
– I don’t play in Group B, so I can’t answer this question. Last season I came from the youth team, so it was not easy. The second season in the First League is easier for me, because I have already been able to adapt to this level. There are no passing matches in the First League. In such competition there is an opportunity to grow professionally. Epicenter will try to win all remaining matches in 2024. We don’t look at the standings.
– Remember your first steps in football. How satisfied are you with your performances at the youth level?
– I had the opportunity to study at the leading football academies of Ukraine. I played alongside talented young people who are now performing at the highest level. I am pleased with my performances even though I missed two years due to injuries. During adolescence there were many problems, but I dealt with them.
– What can you remember from your performances for Shakhtar’s youth team? Which of the current football stars did you manage to play with? Perhaps whose advice is remembered to this day?
– I won all possible championships in DUFLU, and also won gold medals in U-19. In my opinion, these are already significant achievements, given the competition. For me, the stars are those who were there and succeeded. While they are moving towards their goal.
– You also had the opportunity to play for Lviv Rukh. How productive was this period for you?
– As part of the Lviv team, I laid the foundation that helps me at the adult level. Most of my teammates on the youth team now play for the first team in the UPL. Unfortunately, I was unable to perform at my best due to injury. I had to miss more than a year.
– Which coach made the greatest impression on you?
– I am sincerely grateful to all the coaches I meet on my football journey. Each of them helps me. I try to take all the useful advice as much as possible.
– Epicenter already had opportunities to move up in class. Is the team with this composition ready to solve the problem of reaching the UPL this season?
“We are doing everything possible to achieve this.” In my opinion, Epicenter is capable of moving up in class. Perhaps we will get an increase in the winter off-season, but it’s too early to talk about it.
BLITZ
- Was born in Kamenets-Podilskyi
- Pupil – BRV-VIK, Shakhtar
First coach – Yaroslav Fedorenko
Favorite club – I follow all the teams where Ukrainians play
Favorite players – Eduard Kozik, Oleg Fedor and Vladislav Vanat
Goal in football? I’m trying to move forward step by step, be disciplined and listen to the instructions of coaches and loved ones.
Yaroslav Krokha
Source: Sportarena
I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.
