Our goal is to tell the world about the war and attract support for Ukraine
Sunday, December 17, 2023
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Shakhtar captain Taras Stepanenko and midfielder Heorhii Sudakov spoke to journalists ahead of the charity match against Avispa Fukuoka
About the invitation to play a charity match in Japan
Taras Stepanenko:
– I want to thank Japan, the Japanese and Avispa Fukuoka staff for inviting us to play this important game for our country, showing attention and support to Ukrainians on behalf of the Japanese people. We are grateful to be here, to play this match and to be able to tell the world what is happening in our country, that we need support and help to be strong and end this war. Tomorrow is going to be a great day, good football and I think all the people who come to the stadium will enjoy this match.
Heorhii Sudakov:
– We are happy to come here, to Tokyo. I would like to greet all Shakhtar and Avispa Fukuoka fans. Thank you for the invitation. This is a very important match for our country and I think also for Japan as there are not so many teams from Europe coming here. We want to show a beautiful game tomorrow and have a good match, but everyone understands that this is primarily a friendly meeting to help our country – Ukraine.
About the purpose of holding a charity match against Avispa Fukuoka
Taras Stepanenko:
– Every day people die in the war in Ukraine. Anatolii Hros, an employee of Shakhtar, died yesterday. He worked at the NSC Olimpiiskyi, was a volunteer at Shakhtar Shelter Centre in Lviv where he helped Ukrainians who came from the war zone. People like our employee die every day – from missiles, bullets, Russian attacks. Of course, it is very difficult for us, we think about it every day, but every day we stay with our country. So it is very important for us to hold this match and raise money to give it to our people, for charity and to help Ukraine in this difficult situation. Of course, we are very happy to play such matches, we do everything to make people like them and play for charity. And it is what we will try to do tomorrow. It is very important for us and our country to support our people. It is our duty as footballers and citizens of Ukraine. Sometimes I can remember how people who live quietly feel. They go to work, to school, to kindergarten every day, and enjoy life. And this is how all people in the world should live. But when you realize what is happening in your country, you have to talk about it every day until the world hears. This is our mission, our goal and our duty. Until the war in Ukraine ends, we will visit other countries and speak about it, we will remind the world that the war in Ukraine continues, that it is difficult, that people are dying every day and the world must support Ukraine in this difficult situation in order to protect other European countries from such aggressors like Russia who do such terrible things.
About the realization that people in the world may be losing interest in the war in Ukraine
Taras Stepanenko:
– To be honest, I don't even know what people feel and what they know about the situation in Ukraine because maybe in Japan you think that interest has decreased, but in Ukraine I watch it every day in the news, I see everything that is happening , I have an app informing me about air raid alerts. Every night, Russia launches missiles five to seven times. So I don't even understand the question because I don't know. I live in Ukraine, my parents live in Ukraine, I have a very high interest. It's a pity if people are less interested now, but I hope they understand that they have a responsibility to keep the world peaceful because that's the most important thing. It is important for me, for my state, for my people to work, live and enjoy life in a peaceful country. We didn't start this war, we are the victims in this war, so the rest of the world has to help to support our country, our army.
About the memorable moments of playing at the Donbas Arena in Donetsk
Taras Stepanenko:
– I played at the Donbas Arena, it is a really great stadium. One of the best in Europe, in the world. Of course, it is difficult for us because we cannot be there. This is one of my dreams – to return to the stadium, play a game, hear the Ukrainian anthem. I don't know if I will be there as a player or as a veteran of this club, but I hope that in the near future Shakhtar will have the opportunity to play there and enjoy the life that was in Donetsk before the start of the war in Ukraine.
Heorhii Sudakov:
– Unfortunately, I was not so lucky to play at the Donbas Arena. Taras can tell more about it. But everyone understands that it is a very special place for Shakhtar, for the team and for all the fans. And we are upset that we have not been able to play at the Donbas Arena for the last 10 years with the support we would have had there. Of course, everyone dreams of returning to this stadium as soon as possible and hearing the national anthem of Ukraine and anthem of Shakhtar there.
About the peculiarities of football in the conditions of war and personal motivation
Taras Stepanenko:
– Regarding the conditions of training and matches, yes, it is difficult because when you hear an air raid alert, you have to go to the shelter. There is a certain protocol. Sometimes it's hard to cope with emotions as you don't know what might happen in the next few minutes. But day by day you get used to life in such conditions, you understand that it is your duty to play football so that people can live a normal life, watch the games. Of course, you can watch only broadcasts because attendance of the stadiums is now prohibited. We play behind closed doors, sometimes it's tough. Although we got used to playing under such conditions, this is how life in Ukraine is now. What motivates me? My country, my family and my duty to the country. Our soldiers have a duty to protect our country and we must play football just to help Ukrainians live a normal life.
Heorhii Sudakov:
– I guess I can say the same things that Taras did before: it is very difficult to play during an air raid alert because all thoughts you can have at that moment are about your family. And, probably, the biggest motivation for us is our country and our families. Maybe I have a slightly different situation: I am younger and want to progress to reach a new level to play in stronger championships. But if we talk about motivation right now, then it is the family, the country, our Shakhtar team. We very often talk about the Miner's spirit in the team, and all the guys who are currently in the squad understand what we are talking about. Without a doubt, the last year and a half is the most difficult time in our career, but also the most important. We have succeeded by winning the Ukrainian League, advancing the Champions League groups twice in a row. Therefore, I believe, we are now going through a very important stage in our career.
About the significance of Avispa Fukuoka vs Shakhtar match for both countries
Taras Stepanenko:
– Firstly, it is sometimes very difficult to play many matches during the year. We travel a lot, it requires some energy. But as you said, tomorrow's game is very important, as well as the cooperation between our countries. I remember when there was a big earthquake in Japan in 2011. And the president of our club allocated USD 1 million to help the Japanese. And now Japan is helping Ukrainians to raise funds for charity. This is what football is about – to connect people, to bring everyone in the world together for the sake of peace and all good things. Therefore, I believe that it is very important to hold such matches in the future. Perhaps, when peace comes to Ukraine, we will invite Avispa Fukuoka to play in Donetsk or Kyiv. That would be great too. Good cooperation, good friendship, we are very grateful and excited for this game. It is all about football and peace.
Heorhii Sudakov:
– The main goal of this match is to attract as many people as possible to support our country and to tell the people of Japan and people all over the world about what is happening in Ukraine. And the second goal is for the fans to enjoy the game. It is clear that it is a friendly, but I think it will be a very interesting game where everyone will try to win. However, I repeat, the main thing is to attract as many people as possible to support Ukraine.
Taras Stepanenko:
– I want to thank Japan, the Japanese and Avispa Fukuoka staff for inviting us to play this important game for our country, showing attention and support to Ukrainians on behalf of the Japanese people. We are grateful to be here, to play this match and to be able to tell the world what is happening in our country, that we need support and help to be strong and end this war. Tomorrow is going to be a great day, good football and I think all the people who come to the stadium will enjoy this match.
Heorhii Sudakov:
– We are happy to come here, to Tokyo. I would like to greet all Shakhtar and Avispa Fukuoka fans. Thank you for the invitation. This is a very important match for our country and I think also for Japan as there are not so many teams from Europe coming here. We want to show a beautiful game tomorrow and have a good match, but everyone understands that this is primarily a friendly meeting to help our country – Ukraine.
About the purpose of holding a charity match against Avispa Fukuoka
Taras Stepanenko:
– Every day people die in the war in Ukraine. Anatolii Hros, an employee of Shakhtar, died yesterday. He worked at the NSC Olimpiiskyi, was a volunteer at Shakhtar Shelter Centre in Lviv where he helped Ukrainians who came from the war zone. People like our employee die every day – from missiles, bullets, Russian attacks. Of course, it is very difficult for us, we think about it every day, but every day we stay with our country. So it is very important for us to hold this match and raise money to give it to our people, for charity and to help Ukraine in this difficult situation. Of course, we are very happy to play such matches, we do everything to make people like them and play for charity. And it is what we will try to do tomorrow. It is very important for us and our country to support our people. It is our duty as footballers and citizens of Ukraine. Sometimes I can remember how people who live quietly feel. They go to work, to school, to kindergarten every day, and enjoy life. And this is how all people in the world should live. But when you realize what is happening in your country, you have to talk about it every day until the world hears. This is our mission, our goal and our duty. Until the war in Ukraine ends, we will visit other countries and speak about it, we will remind the world that the war in Ukraine continues, that it is difficult, that people are dying every day and the world must support Ukraine in this difficult situation in order to protect other European countries from such aggressors like Russia who do such terrible things.
About the realization that people in the world may be losing interest in the war in Ukraine
Taras Stepanenko:
– To be honest, I don't even know what people feel and what they know about the situation in Ukraine because maybe in Japan you think that interest has decreased, but in Ukraine I watch it every day in the news, I see everything that is happening , I have an app informing me about air raid alerts. Every night, Russia launches missiles five to seven times. So I don't even understand the question because I don't know. I live in Ukraine, my parents live in Ukraine, I have a very high interest. It's a pity if people are less interested now, but I hope they understand that they have a responsibility to keep the world peaceful because that's the most important thing. It is important for me, for my state, for my people to work, live and enjoy life in a peaceful country. We didn't start this war, we are the victims in this war, so the rest of the world has to help to support our country, our army.
About the memorable moments of playing at the Donbas Arena in Donetsk
Taras Stepanenko:
– I played at the Donbas Arena, it is a really great stadium. One of the best in Europe, in the world. Of course, it is difficult for us because we cannot be there. This is one of my dreams – to return to the stadium, play a game, hear the Ukrainian anthem. I don't know if I will be there as a player or as a veteran of this club, but I hope that in the near future Shakhtar will have the opportunity to play there and enjoy the life that was in Donetsk before the start of the war in Ukraine.
Heorhii Sudakov:
– Unfortunately, I was not so lucky to play at the Donbas Arena. Taras can tell more about it. But everyone understands that it is a very special place for Shakhtar, for the team and for all the fans. And we are upset that we have not been able to play at the Donbas Arena for the last 10 years with the support we would have had there. Of course, everyone dreams of returning to this stadium as soon as possible and hearing the national anthem of Ukraine and anthem of Shakhtar there.
About the peculiarities of football in the conditions of war and personal motivation
Taras Stepanenko:
– Regarding the conditions of training and matches, yes, it is difficult because when you hear an air raid alert, you have to go to the shelter. There is a certain protocol. Sometimes it's hard to cope with emotions as you don't know what might happen in the next few minutes. But day by day you get used to life in such conditions, you understand that it is your duty to play football so that people can live a normal life, watch the games. Of course, you can watch only broadcasts because attendance of the stadiums is now prohibited. We play behind closed doors, sometimes it's tough. Although we got used to playing under such conditions, this is how life in Ukraine is now. What motivates me? My country, my family and my duty to the country. Our soldiers have a duty to protect our country and we must play football just to help Ukrainians live a normal life.
Heorhii Sudakov:
– I guess I can say the same things that Taras did before: it is very difficult to play during an air raid alert because all thoughts you can have at that moment are about your family. And, probably, the biggest motivation for us is our country and our families. Maybe I have a slightly different situation: I am younger and want to progress to reach a new level to play in stronger championships. But if we talk about motivation right now, then it is the family, the country, our Shakhtar team. We very often talk about the Miner's spirit in the team, and all the guys who are currently in the squad understand what we are talking about. Without a doubt, the last year and a half is the most difficult time in our career, but also the most important. We have succeeded by winning the Ukrainian League, advancing the Champions League groups twice in a row. Therefore, I believe, we are now going through a very important stage in our career.
About the significance of Avispa Fukuoka vs Shakhtar match for both countries
Taras Stepanenko:
– Firstly, it is sometimes very difficult to play many matches during the year. We travel a lot, it requires some energy. But as you said, tomorrow's game is very important, as well as the cooperation between our countries. I remember when there was a big earthquake in Japan in 2011. And the president of our club allocated USD 1 million to help the Japanese. And now Japan is helping Ukrainians to raise funds for charity. This is what football is about – to connect people, to bring everyone in the world together for the sake of peace and all good things. Therefore, I believe that it is very important to hold such matches in the future. Perhaps, when peace comes to Ukraine, we will invite Avispa Fukuoka to play in Donetsk or Kyiv. That would be great too. Good cooperation, good friendship, we are very grateful and excited for this game. It is all about football and peace.
Heorhii Sudakov:
– The main goal of this match is to attract as many people as possible to support our country and to tell the people of Japan and people all over the world about what is happening in Ukraine. And the second goal is for the fans to enjoy the game. It is clear that it is a friendly, but I think it will be a very interesting game where everyone will try to win. However, I repeat, the main thing is to attract as many people as possible to support Ukraine.
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