Nataliya Zinchenko: "For the first time we were close to victory in the qualifying group tournament"

14.10.2018 12:34

Photo of FFU press service

Women's football fans do not need to introduce Kermanych of the women's youth national team of Ukraine WU-19 and the coach of Kharkiv "Zhytlobuda-2" Natalia Zinchenko.

After all, she was already recognized as the best domestic coach, and she is not going to give up the positions she won this year as well. A few days ago, her wards from the youth group made it to the elite round of Euro-2019, taking second place in the qualifying tournament in Lithuania.

— For us, the match against the hosts was decisive, because the Faroe team was somewhat inferior in skill, — Nataliya Zinchenko says. — I believe that we surpassed our visitors from Lithuania in realizing scoring opportunities: two of the five attempts were successful.

— Were there any chances to challenge the Irish national team, which was considered the favorite of the tournament in Lithuania?

— I have been leading the youth team since 2013, and probably for the first time we were close to winning the first place in the qualifying group tournament, because before Maria Koleschuk's withdrawal in the 71st minute, we were not inferior to the British in a face-to-face meeting. But, remaining in the minority, they got confused and no longer put up adequate resistance to their opponents, who had a longer bench.

— Did everything manage to be done during the preparatory period?

— Yes, the leadership of the FFU made sure that we did not have any problems with conducting educational and training meetings and sparring sessions. We played two control matches each against the national teams of Azerbaijan, Belarus and the student national team of Ukraine, so we had the opportunity to select the really strongest ones.

- Don't you want to celebrate someone from your wards?

- No. But if they hadn't lost to the Irish, then that would be a different matter. Consider that everyone played to their strengths, and there is still work to be done.

— Now it's the turn of the test with the elite round, where the competition will take place in seven groups, and only the winners will go to the final part of the European Championship. The draw will take place on November 23. Who would you like as rivals?

— Teams that the Ukrainian youth has not yet met. I don't mind playing against France or Sweden. I am convinced that these matches would help to gain valuable experience and contribute to progress.