Nataliya Zinchenko: Pantsulaia's quick goal broke Greece

29.10.2020 14:00

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Having achieved a convincing victory on the road over the Greeks (4: 0), the women's national team of Ukraine continues to fight for a pass to the 2022 European Championship.

- To be honest, I expected a difficult confrontation in Athens, - said the head coach of the blue-and-yellows Nataliya Zinchenko in a comment to the UAF official website. - Probably because of our significant losses in squad. But a quick goal by Natia Pantsulaia, scored in the 5th minute, broke the rivals, who began to play quite adventurously. The hosts rushed to equalize the situation with great force, but did not always hurry to return back, and my wards made the most of the fact that they neglected game discipline. It should also be noted that the pitch condition did not withstand criticism, there could be no talk of any team's movements and combinations, but, fortunately, it worked out.

- Just a few days before the match in Athens, it became known that you could not be able to count on the leaders of the team - Apanashchenko and Boichenko, whose tests for coronavirus were positive ...

- As only 15 field players were included in the delegation for various reasons, my choice was quite limited. Nevertheless, I believe that Kunina, who played instead of Boichenko on the right flank of the midfield, and Kalinina, who replaced Apanashchenko as attacking midfielder, lived up to expectations.

- What did you say to the girls in the locker room right after the final whistle?

- First of all - I thanked them for the game. I reminded that there is one more match left - against Montenegro, which must also be won, and therefore it is necessary to prepare for it very responsibly.

- But, agree, now not everything depends only on performance of your wards. It is also necessary that in the final round Ireland did not beat Germany.

- You know, for Ireland to win, something extraordinary must happen. The German class is much higher. However, we must first focus on our game.

- When will the preparation for the match against Montenegro begin?

- On November 23, we plan to gather for a training camp in Kyiv. I am convinced that most of my wards will be provided with playing practice, because they will play in the Ukrainian championship.

- And finally, how are things going with those who are in self-isolation?

- After returning from Greece, I immediately talked to each of them on the phone. The girls are feeling well, they have to take re-tests this week, and I hope the results will be negative. This is very important, because it is desirable to play the strongest squad against Montenegro.

Group I standings

Matches remaining in the Euro-2022 qualification in Group I.

Of the 47 teams participating in the Euro qualifiers, 15 will reach the decisive stage. Nine winners of the selected groups and the top three second teams will join England as the host of the European Championship. Six more second-placed teams in their groups will play in the last three matches in playoffs. These matches will take place on April 5-13, 2021.

It will be recalled that on April 23, the UEFA Executive Committee decided on postponement of the final part of the European Championship among the national women's national teams. Thus, the Euro in England will be held from 6 to 31 July 2022.