U21. Shakhtar vs Dynamo: players' opinions
Friday, September 9, 2016
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After the U21 Championship match against Dynamo, the Pitmen reflected on the game
Oleksandr Zubkov, Shakhtar U21 midfielder:
- Everybody is taking this defeat hard. It is doubly disappointing, since the fight was a principal one. The mind-set for the game was crazy. In the first 20 minutes we were completely overwhelmed the Kyiv team, then scored and may have somewhat calmed down and conceded a goal. The same thing happened in the second half. We had an advantage, took the lead again, but lacked confidence in defence, made mistakes and conceded twice. In these episodes we should have acted simpler in our penalty area, shooting the ball away with the first touch. Furthermore, we did not convert our chances in the attacks, although we created plenty.
- Everybody is taking this defeat hard. It is doubly disappointing, since the fight was a principal one. The mind-set for the game was crazy. In the first 20 minutes we were completely overwhelmed the Kyiv team, then scored and may have somewhat calmed down and conceded a goal. The same thing happened in the second half. We had an advantage, took the lead again, but lacked confidence in defence, made mistakes and conceded twice. In these episodes we should have acted simpler in our penalty area, shooting the ball away with the first touch. Furthermore, we did not convert our chances in the attacks, although we created plenty.
It is an absolutely undeserved loss. I believe we prepared very well for this match, we came out on the field with great desire, we tried hard and gave everything we got
Oleksandr Pikhalionok, Shakhtar U21 captain:
- It is an absolutely undeserved loss. I believe we prepared very well for this match, we came out on the field with great desire, we tried hard and gave everything we got. Everyone saw that Shakhtar was superior to the opponents in almost every aspect. We scored our goals after practised combination, but conceded all three goals due to individual mistakes. There was an episode that could have become the key one: when the score was 2-1, we clearly deserved to be awarded a penalty, but for some reason the referee did not do it. But even without that, we had two or three hundred percent chances to score a third goal and basically finish the game. Instead we made mistakes in defence and offence and lost in such an important match. Saying everyone is upset does not describe the half of it. But we must not look for excuses. We need to analyse the mistakes and move on. The whole championship is still ahead, and we will fight for the gold.
- It is an absolutely undeserved loss. I believe we prepared very well for this match, we came out on the field with great desire, we tried hard and gave everything we got. Everyone saw that Shakhtar was superior to the opponents in almost every aspect. We scored our goals after practised combination, but conceded all three goals due to individual mistakes. There was an episode that could have become the key one: when the score was 2-1, we clearly deserved to be awarded a penalty, but for some reason the referee did not do it. But even without that, we had two or three hundred percent chances to score a third goal and basically finish the game. Instead we made mistakes in defence and offence and lost in such an important match. Saying everyone is upset does not describe the half of it. But we must not look for excuses. We need to analyse the mistakes and move on. The whole championship is still ahead, and we will fight for the gold.