The Ukraine coach believes that his team deserved another result against Wales (1-0 loss) in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup and assumed that it is “very difficult” to play in times of war.
“It is very difficult to play like this. We have a war that is destroying our country. Women and children die every day due to barbaric Russian attacks. We Ukrainians want and need your support. I hope that what is happening to us never happens to you”, said Oleksandr Petrakov, at a press conference in Cardiff, addressing the journalists present.
Regarding the game with the Welsh, the Ukrainian coach considered that his team had the best opportunities, but “unfortunately” could not reach the goal. “We did everything we could. We’re sorry we didn’t score, but it’s football. It happens,” he said.
Midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko went on to say that the best on the pitch was Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, and also addressed the situation in his country and the Russian invasion.
“Now it is Ukraine, but who knows what will happen tomorrow. We must and must stay together. We all have to keep fighting. As footballers, we have to represent our country in the best possible way”, said the Manchester City player.
Wales qualified for the World Cup finals today 64 years later, beating Ukraine 1-0 in Cardiff in the European play-offs Path A final.
An own goal by Yarmolenko, in the 34th minute, deflected from a direct free kick by Gareth Bale, sealed the classification of the Welsh, who had only been to the 1958 World Cup, the year in which they finished sixth after losing in the ‘ quarters’ with Brazil (0-1), Pelé’s ‘fault’.
The British team is the 13th and final European team to qualify, joining Germany, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, France, England, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Serbia and Switzerland.
In the final phase, there are also five teams from Africa (Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia), four from South America (Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador and Uruguay), five from Asia (Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Iran, Japan and host Qatar) and three from CONCACAF (Canada, United States and Mexico).
The last two places will go to the winners of two intercontinental play-offs, one between the fifth places in Asia (Australia or the United Arab Emirates, who face each other on Tuesday) and South America (Peru), on June 13, and another between Costa Rica and New Zealand, on the 14th. The 2022 World Cup will take place in Qatar, from November 21 to December 18.
Source: Observadora
