Oleksandr Kosenko: "I thank the boys, they really deserved to go to the World Championship"

21.12.2023 14:00

Photo of FAU press service

Oleksandr Kosenko, head coach of the Ukrainian futsal team, commented on the victory over Poland (5:3) in the elite round of World Cup 2024 qualification, which allowed our team to make it to the final tournament. The words of the mentor of the blue-yellows lead YouTube channel of Futsal Association of Ukraine reports.

— The score was 4:0 in the first half, and 5:3 in the second half. Can you say that it was one of the most intense matches in your coaching career?

- In general, there were probably a lot of similar matches, but such meetings - decisive ones that determine the fate of the ticket to the World Championship - are few, so I want to thank the boys once again for the fact that they showed dedication, character, skill. I want to thank the fans who came from Ukraine and Poland, cheered for us, we felt their support. I want to thank everyone involved in this victory. We are going to the World Cup, it is very important for futsal and for the country. We feel the support of the whole country. And the fact that it was 4:0 and then 5:3 was a game, and we understood that the Poles would fight to the last for this ticket. We were aware that this is not the end, and it is not our fault that the score has changed - it was the Poles who did their best to at least somehow try to level the game, to win back. I thank the boys once again that they persevered and scored the fifth goal. They really deserved this entry to the World Cup.

— While the qualification lasted, there was a lot of support for the national team and a lot of criticism. Maybe you want to say something to those who supported and criticized you at that time?

— I always treat people who support us well, because they are really people who are always with us both in joy and in sorrow. I understand that there must be criticism, without criticism there will be stagnation, there will be no progress. Criticism moves us forward, pushes us to do something, to change. Therefore, it is good, and let them criticize, and let them encourage. It will always be like this - not only in futsal, but also in life. We continue to work. I want to thank both those who support us and those who criticize.

WC-2024. European qualification. Elite round

Group B

15.09.2023

Belgium - Ukraine - 2: 10

Poland — Serbia — 1:2

20.09.2023

Ukraine - Poland - 2:3

Serbia — Belgium — 3:3

06.10.2023

Serbia - Ukraine - 1: 6

Poland — Belgium — 7:2

11.10.2023

Ukraine - Serbia - 1: 1

Belgium — Poland — 1:3

15.12.2023

Ukraine - Belgium - 8: 2

Serbia — Poland — 2:4

20.12.2023

Poland - Ukraine - 3: 5

Belgium - Serbia - 2: 4

Standings

Entered the final tournament: Kazakhstan, Ukraine, France, Spain, Portugal.

Will play in the playoffs of the elite round: Netherlands, Poland, Croatia, Finland.

Elite round playoffs

Draw: January 25, 2024

Matches: April 8-17, 2024.

Four teams will be divided into two pairs, matches will be played at home and away. The winners of the pairs will go to the 2024 World Cup.

World Cup to be held in Uzbekistan from September 14 to October 6, 2024.