:quality(80)/cdn-kiosk-api.telegraaf.nl/3c560656-e23b-11ec-b714-0217670beecd.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1)
sport">Ukraine thus took a step towards the World Cup at the end of this year in Qatar. “A small step,” said the national coach. “We have reached the final and now we face a duel with Wales. We are going to do everything in our power to win.”
sport">Ukraine played its first official international match since the Russian military invasion early this year. The play-off against Scotland was supposed to be played at the end of March, but had to be postponed due to the war.
sport">The Ukrainian national team coach was impressed by the reception in Glasgow. “I want to thank Scotland for the hospitality. As I walked through the streets of Glasgow, people wished me luck,” said Petrakov. “We put all our emotions into the game. This victory means so much to our country. It is very nice that we have made all Ukrainians happy again in these difficult times.” The players all had a Ukrainian flag on their shoulders as they came onto the field for kick-off. The 45,000 Scottish fans sang the Ukrainian national anthem, which was written phonetically, in full.
sport">“This victory is for all Ukrainians, for those who are now at the front,” said midfielder Ruslan Malinovsky. “We sympathize with them. But we are only at 50 percent of our target. Everything now revolves around the next game, Sunday against Wales.”
—
