Ukraine coach Oleksandr Petrakov dedicates playoff win over Scotland to troops ‘who struggle in trenches’

Ukraine coach Oleksandr Petrakov hailed his facet’s 3-1 win over Scotland in Wednesday’s World Cup qualification playoff as a victory for his or her complete war-torn nation.

The 3-1 triumph at Hampden Park leaves Ukraine realizing {that a} win towards Wales on Sunday in Cardiff will earn them a spot within the World Cup finals for simply the second time as an impartial nation.

Petrakov mentioned he had been left exhausted by the 90 minutes — the primary aggressive recreation his facet have performed for the reason that Russian invasion of Ukraine in February.

“I have no emotions, all emotions are left out on the pitch. This victory is not for me, not for our players but for our country, so it was a huge victory for Ukraine,” he informed reporters.

“It was a team effort, a team victory, teamwork, they did everything for the people they play for. They played for those watching back home, for the armed forces in the trenches, for those in hospitals. They say thanks to us and we return our gratitude to them,” he added.

The 64-year-old, who has spent most of his teaching profession in command of the nation’s youth groups, mentioned he felt unable to supply any evaluation of the efficiency.

“I don’t want to analyse the game at this moment in time, I’m exhausted. I am empty in terms of analysis,” he mentioned.

But he was in little question concerning the significance of a victory achieved in entrance of over 2,000 touring followers from the Ukrainian diaspora and watched again house by tens of millions on tv.

“We played for them, for those who fight with their last drop of blood, for those who suffer every day, we made baby steps towards our great aim.

“Now now we have the Wales recreation to come back and we are going to do the whole lot folks count on us to do,” he said.

The coach said he had been overwhelmed by the way he and his team had been welcomed by the Scottish public ahead of such a vital game for both teams.

“In this troublesome time, I wish to prolong our gratitude to the folks of Scotland, this extremely hospitable place.

“Walking on the street yesterday, people were coming up to us and wishing us all the best, it was incredible. Thank you Scotland, we will never forget that,” he mentioned.

On the eve of the sport, midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko broke down in tears when discussing the state of affairs within the nation, however he delivered an excellent efficiency towards the Scots.

Petrakov mentioned he was not stunned by both the emotion or the response on the sector.

“Zinchenko is an extremely patriotic person, emotional and a true Ukrainian. When Ukraine is being attacked, he feels as though he is personally attacked,” he mentioned.

“He is a pure lad, he has a pure soul and that shows on and off the pitch.”