Oleksandr Petrakov: "It was interesting for the guys to look at themselves in the matches with representatives of Asia and South America ..."

30.03.2019 14:01

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Head coach of the U-20 youth team Alexander Petrakov was pleased with the work the team had done at the overseas training camp.

For the Ukrainian youth team, the Spain gathering was, in fact, the last stage of preparation for the World Cup, which will be held in Poland from May 23 to June 15 this year.

About the results of this work, the official site of the FFU told the head coach of blue and yellow Alexander Petrakov.

- Alexander Vasilyevich, were you satisfied with the meeting in Spain?

- At once I thank the management of FFU for that we managed to provide such conditions for work. The national teams of France, Argentina, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the United States worked here. A wonderful football center with a great atmosphere.

We didn't see the guys for four months, we missed each other, we had to remember a little about our past work.

- Will victories in friendly matches with representatives of Asia and South America give your wards confidence?

- I have already said that I consider it inexpedient to hold friendly matches with European teams in the year of the World Cup. The boys were interested to see themselves in matches with teams from other confederations, showing a different school of the game.

- Victorious match with South Korea turned out to be difficult?

- I really liked the Asians, they are trained, technically well equipped. By the way, they did not have three players who were playing for the national team of their country at that time. In general, the actions of my wards in this match did not satisfy me, despite the final victory - 1: 0.

- З Uruguay came the battle if the referee showed three red cards?

- No. It's just that South Americans are very noisy, they like to provoke. That's what our football player bought, answering the opponent. In this game, the actions of our guys were much better. The first 10 minutes may not have been very clear, but then we got out of the defense. We looked good until the 61st minute, when there was a mutual withdrawal. Then came the chaos, the Uruguayans had another withdrawal, and we brought the match to victory without any problems.

But to sum up the collection, I like the willingness and attitude of the guys to work. They are good!

- Do you have your next meeting with your wards scheduled for May 10?

- Absolutely true. This day we will gather for the last preparations for the World Cup. There are preconditions that negotiations on sparring with South Africa, which is scheduled for May 17, will be successfully completed. But in addition, we plan to play two more friendly matches with Ukrainian teams.