PETRAKOV: “One goal was not enough. There is dead silence in the locker room.”

Head coach of the Ukrainian national team Alexander Petrakov He commented on his team’s defeat from Wales (0:1) in the 2022 World Cup qualifying final.

– What would you like people in Ukraine to remember about the national team’s path to the World Cup?

To remember our team. My men did everything they could. I do not know what to say. We should apologize for not scoring, but we did everything we could. It’s a sport.

What did you miss today?

– A goal scored – nothing more.

– What are your views on the future of the team?

– We have a match on June 8th, we are starting to play in the League of Nations.

– What is the current situation in the dressing room of the Ukrainian national team?

– There is a dead silence in the locker room.

– Is the final result an accident or a mold?

– It’s a sport, football. Some were lucky today, some were not.

– Alexander Karavaev is the only right-back in the team. Are you considering looking for someone else for this position?

We do not intend to call anyone. Now there will be a rotation – other guys will come out. Those who play today will not play on the 8th.

– How does Andriy Yarmolenko, captain of the national team, give his best in both playoff games, but score an own goal, feeling?

“I can only thank him for everything he has done for the national team. I have no complaints from my players. Shout out to the press: no need to pour negativity at Yarmolenko and the other guys, pour everything to the head coach. The team wins, the coach loses.

– Do you have any words for the world community regarding the current situation in Ukraine?

– You know that we are at war, people are dying, children, women, Russians are doing a lot of damage to our infrastructure. Our men from the Armed Forces of Ukraine are fighting as best they can. I wish everyone to support our country. I would like to emphasize once again: May Allah not let this grief happen to you. No one will understand what war is until they touch you personally. Now we are here and people are dying there. I don’t know what words to use for the guys on the front lines. Guys, we did everything we could today. But it is a sport watched by millions of people. Some are lucky, some are not. Finally, I would like to thank all Wales and wish them good luck at the World Cup.