Alexander Petrakov: "One game like the one with Israel is worth five matches of the domestic championship"

30.08.2019 11:05

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Head coach of U-17 U-XNUMX national team Alexander Petrakov summed up the match with the Israel team.

On the third game day of the Victor Bannikov Tournament the Ukrainian national team (players not older than 2003) won by peers from Israel (2: 0), which allowed her to reach the finals. The head coach of the blue-and-yellows Oleksandr Petrakov told about the details of the match.

- Alexander Vasilyevich, long before the start of the tournament you wanted to play with Israel ...

- Exactly. We wanted to take revenge on this team after our May meeting at the UEFA Development Tournament. I think our guys did a good job.

- Did you have fewer claims against your wards in this match?

- So. On the eve of the match, the guys and I held a full-fledged lesson on the tactical plan, everything was laid out on the shelves. And, as the game showed, the team met the requirements. But let's not praise the players, so as not to repeat the mistakes that were made in the match with Azerbaijan. Ahead - the final ...

- Can we say that in the match with Israel the optimal starting lineup of your team came on the field?

- At this age it is too early to say anything. Selection work continues, we are watching a lot of players. It is not necessary to calm down any of the current performers. The basis will be determined in the fall, closer to the qualifying matches of the European Championship.

- Do such games give the team confidence and strength of spirit?

- The guys and I talked about this more than once before the match. This is a chance for any footballer to prove himself in order to continue to be worthy to represent the country on the international arena. One such game, as with the Israeli national team, is worth five matches of the domestic championship.

- In the final of the Victor Bannikov Tournament, the blue and yellows will play against the Turkish national team. What do you say about this team and what game are you waiting for?

- In November last year, we met the Turks on the road and lost both matches (1: 2 and 0: 1). They have a good team. Let's see how it will be this time.