Oleksandr Kosenko: "Now we will wait for the rivals, who will play in one group of elite round"

28.10.2019 18:13

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

The head coach of the Ukrainian national football team Oleksandr Kosenko summed up the results of his wards in the main round of the 2020 World Cup.

From October 24 to 27 in Skopje, northern Macedonia, the blue and yellows took part in the World Cup qualifiers. Following the results of the basic round of selection our team took second place, so will continue to fight in the elite round. The head coach of the national team of Ukraine Oleksandr Kosenko assessed this result in an interview Futsal Association of Ukraine press service.

— Summarize the performance of the team in the main round of European Qualification for the 2020 World Cup.

- We reached the elite round. Of course, it is a pity that not in the first place. Let's wait for the draw.

— During these three meetings, you were surprised by someone andfrom rivals?

- We were preparing for the matches, so we knew what to expect from each of the opponents. We did not have any difficulties in the matches against the national teams of Kosovo and Northern Macedonia. But Slovenia is a pretty good, strong team. I believe that the draw was a natural result in the confrontation with this opponent.

— What was not enough to defeat the Slovenians face-to-face meeting (2: 2), which actually determined the final allocation of seats in the group?

- In a confrontation with an equal opponent, everything can be solved by one micro-episode. With a score of 2: 1, we had the opportunity to score for the third time and win this match. It is such episodes and performing skills that can tip the scales in your favor in a draw. We were expecting a difficult match with a worthy opponent. Of course, our team was counting on three points. However, in the end we were forced to be content with a draw.

— After defeating Northern Macedonia with a score of 5: 1, did you suspect that the Slovenians could score the right amount of goals for Kosovo to finish first?

- I didn't think much about it. Just watched the course of events in the match.

— During the tournament, you constantly rotated in the fours. Are you satisfied with the effect of such decisions?

- The course of matches can answer this question. Such changes gave us more freshness. Repeatedly, it was the performers who did not come out in the first two fours, managed to score and revive the game.

— How will the national team prepare for the elite round?

- There is a UEFA window in December, but we haven't decided on the opponent yet. We have several options, but it will be known later who the Ukrainian national team will play with.

— The draw of the elite round will take place on November 7. Who would you like to meet during this stage?

- Little depends on me here. We will wait for the rivals with whom we will play in the same group, and we will carefully prepare for face-to-face matches with each of them.