Oleksandr Petrakov: “We had to score, not lose so many moments. At the national team level, this is not forgiven. "

01.09.2021 20:41

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Acting head coach of the national team of Ukraine Oleksandr Petrakov held a press conference after match with the team of Kazakhstan (2: 2).

- Do you still believe in the entry of the national team of Ukraine to the World Cup?

- I still believe. This is a sport, football, you need to play to the end. The whole team is upset, I'm upset. But we will play to the end.

- Do you have a feeling that both games with Kazakhstan turned out similar?

- In principle, yes. I said that Kazakhstan is a disciplined, good team. I warned my players not to waste goals. Probably did not reach. I don't even know what it has to do with. There were such mistakes, professional footballers can't score the ball ... In the end they got such a goal. One, the other ... We will disassemble. Let's talk to the guys calmly. The team is very upset. I need to get the players out of the psychological pit, talk to them.

- Did a quick goal affect the team's mood? Did she believe the game was done?

- We still had moments. It was necessary to score more, to add. I talked about it, but I was not heard. The goal may have been a little affected. It was necessary to score, not to lose so many goal moments. At the level of national teams, this is not forgiven.

- Two goals of the national team of Kazakhstan turned out similar.

- You are right. We will look, we will draw conclusions. Let's talk to the player who made these mistakes. An experienced footballer, he is very upset.

- Did the short cycle of team training affect the result?

- I will not make excuses now, saying that I did not have time. I took on the role of acting coach of the national team. I knew what I was going for. Must take responsibility for the result. The team wins, one person loses. And this is me.

- Why Stepanenko and Zubkov didn't get to the application? Why didn't Malinowski and Tsygankov come out in the starting lineup?

- This is my decision. We have a match with France ahead, there should be a rotation. Stepanenko was poisoned, he had a fever all day yesterday. Zubkov came to us very late. In recent matches, Sasha did not play for Ferencvaros.

- Today, the players of the national team of Ukraine could not score Pokatilov many times. He is very good in melee. Was it worth playing against him differently?

- It is necessary to ask football players how it is necessary to beat. They play in big clubs. In two days, an experienced player can be taught to hit the goal ... Of course, they wanted to score. The goalkeeper of Kazakhstan played well.

- Did your opponent surprise you?

- My opponent did not surprise me. Congratulations to Kazakhstan on a good draw. I think we completely outplayed our opponent. Unfortunately, many points were not realized. You understand that a coach cannot score a ball.

- What is the condition of Yaremchuk? Why was it replaced?

- Roma fell ill, was vaccinated against coronavirus in his club. He missed the last match of the championship. He had a fever, a feature of the body. He told me during the break that he would not be able to play for a long time.

I will do my best to get the guys psychologically back to playing with France.