Oleksandr Kosenko: “Everyone wants to take first place in the group and make it to the World Cup”

12.11.2019 14:35

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Head Coach of Ukraine Futsal Oleksandr Kosenko commented on the results of the draw of the elite round of the 2020 World Cup and shared his team's plans.

At the beginning of November, 16 teams participating in the elite round of qualification for the Futsal World Cup were divided into four groups. The Ukrainians joined Quartet B, where they will meet Spain, France and Serbia. Matches of this stage will be held on January 28 - February 2 next year in Serbia.

The UAF official website has asked to comment on the results of the draw of head coach of blue and yellow Alexander Kosenko.

"All rivals are very strong, they will prepare for the selection. Everyone wants to take first place in the group and make it to the World Cup. The selection format is quite interesting - all groups are more or less equal. There are no teams that would be easy prey for the favorites. I expect interesting and even unpredictable matches.

Spain needs no introduction. It is a repeated champion of the world and Europe, one of the strongest national teams in the world, which at any time possesses qualified personnel. I think Spain is the main favorite of the 2020 World Cup.

Next in strength, I would place the Serbian national team, which will play at home. As you know, the Balkan teams play differently at home and away. At home, they play even harder. And the motivation of the Serbs will be enough.

France is one of the most progressive teams of recent times. Very good team, technical, well prepared in tactical terms. I would not classify the French as outsiders, because they will be able to give a fight to any opponent. At the last European Championship, they drew with Spain - 4: 4.

In early December, as part of the international window, we will play friendly matches. We are negotiating with several authoritative rivals, but so far not all points are placed over the "and". The next training camp will take place in January, just before the elite round matches, ”said the blue-yellow leader.

It will be recalled that the winners of each of the four groups of the elite round will go directly to the World Cup. The teams that take second place in the groups will advance to the playoffs, where two more World Cup tickets will be drawn. Butt matches are scheduled for April 9 and 12, 2020. The confrontation will be two-match. In case of participation in the playoffs, the national team of Ukraine will meet with a representative of Group A and will play the first match at home (April 9), and the return match - away (April 12).

In total, according to the UEFA quota, seven representatives of the Old World will be included in the finals of the World Cup, which will take place in Lithuania from September 12 to October 4, 2020 (Lithuania being automatically allowed to the final). 

We will also add that AFC (Asia) will be able to send five teams to the 2020 World Cup, CAF (Africa) - three, CONCACAF (North and Central America) - four, CONMEBOL (South America) - four, OFC (Oceania) - one. A total of 24 teams will take part in the world championship.