Oleksandr Petrakov: “I have already defined a line-up for myself that will prepare for the official matches”

16.10.2019 19:02

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

The head coach of the youth national team of Ukraine U-17 Oleksandr Petrakov summed up the work done at the meeting.

The youth national team of Ukraine (footballers not older than 2003), preparing for the qualifying matches of the European Championship, has completed the training camp, during which it played two friendly matches with the team of Armenia (5: 0, 2: 0). The results of this training were summed up by the head coach of the blue-yellows Oleksandr Petrakov.

- To be honest, I'm a little disappointed with the level of the opponent in sparring, - said Alexander. - I expected much more from the Armenian national team.

- However, maybe there are positive moments?

- Of course. At this age we do not have bright footballers yet, but the most important thing is that they want to show themselves, they try. In a word - hard workers. For this I pay tribute to them. They listen carefully, and although they do not always succeed, they work hard to improve.

- The first match with the national team of Armenia seemed rich in goals. Why didn't something like that happen in the second match?

- Because in the first meeting the opponent played more openly, and we were able to use the free zones in his defensive construction. And at the second game the Armenians all around the team dug in at their penalty. It was not easy to break such a defense. In such situations, an individual class of performers is required, which we cannot yet boast. However, at the beginning of the second half, the team achieved a comfortable advantage and calmly brought the matter to victory.

- German Schalke midfielder Bohdan Shubin is remembered for his unusual actions.

- Nothing guy, slowly getting used to the team. It is a pity that Bogdan did not score a penalty, but it is good that it did not happen in the official tournament.

- In both matches you set the same "basis". Does this mean that this is a starting lineup close to what will be in the first qualifying match, given the lack of Dynamo?

- No way. I very much hope that I will make every effort to strengthen the national team of Dynamo Kyiv, and we went to Portugal with the strongest players of this age. At least for myself, I have already determined the lineup that will prepare for the official matches.

We will remind that Alexander Petrakov's team prepares for a qualifying round of Euro-2020 (U-17) which will be held in Portugal in November this year. There, the national team of Ukraine will play with Georgia (13th), Albania (16th) and Portugal (19th).