We thank the people of Japan for supporting Ukraine!
Monday, December 18, 2023
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Shakhtar midfielder Oleksandr Zubkov shared his impressions of the game against Avispa Fukuoka and the results of the Europa League draw
– Oleksandr, a charity match in support of Ukraine took place. How did everything go?
– I would like to thank the people of Japan for supporting Ukraine and for the invitation to this match. This is super cool! It is a very good symbolic result, so I think everyone is happy. We saw Tokyo: there are great people and culture here. Good emotions!
– What did you feel when the Anthem of Ukraine was playing in this huge Japan National Stadium, when you saw Ukrainian fans in the stands with blue and yellow flags?
– It was very nice. Again, everything is great. Wonderful emotions. We are very happy to see our people in the stands!
– What can you say about Japanese football? Did you notice any specifics in the opponent’s game?
– Perhaps it can be said that the team are very hard-working – they all run non-stop. So, it was a good experience.
– How important was the result of the match? Or was charity the main idea?
– I think, after all, this is more of a charity event, a football holiday. So, it is very good and symbolic that we played a draw.
– What was most memorable during your trip to Japan?
– I was impressed by the fact that this nation welcomed us very well, the people here are very friendly.
– You had a lot of media events: you met Ukrainian refugees, played football with children. What was Shakhtar’s message to the whole world?
– We tried to convey that we should all be together so that everyone understands what is happening in our country. We hope for your support.
– How important is it that countries like Japan support Ukraine and how can this help in the current situation?
– Japan is a very powerful country, as far as I know, it is the third largest economy in the world, so I think others will listen to such state.
– Also, Shakhtar learned about their future opponent in the Europa League today, it is Marseille. What can you say about this team?
– Yes, some of our players said that they wanted Marseille to be our opponent. Well, we will ask Ruslan Malinovskyi about this team and prepare.
– On what note does this year end for Shakhtar?
– Probably, we have achieved the main goal – we have reached the European spring. Of course, there is such nuance that we could compete for the Champions League play-offs, but this is what we have. It was not a bad season, we are ending the year with good emotions.
– I would like to thank the people of Japan for supporting Ukraine and for the invitation to this match. This is super cool! It is a very good symbolic result, so I think everyone is happy. We saw Tokyo: there are great people and culture here. Good emotions!
– What did you feel when the Anthem of Ukraine was playing in this huge Japan National Stadium, when you saw Ukrainian fans in the stands with blue and yellow flags?
– It was very nice. Again, everything is great. Wonderful emotions. We are very happy to see our people in the stands!
– What can you say about Japanese football? Did you notice any specifics in the opponent’s game?
– Perhaps it can be said that the team are very hard-working – they all run non-stop. So, it was a good experience.
– How important was the result of the match? Or was charity the main idea?
– I think, after all, this is more of a charity event, a football holiday. So, it is very good and symbolic that we played a draw.
– What was most memorable during your trip to Japan?
– I was impressed by the fact that this nation welcomed us very well, the people here are very friendly.
– You had a lot of media events: you met Ukrainian refugees, played football with children. What was Shakhtar’s message to the whole world?
– We tried to convey that we should all be together so that everyone understands what is happening in our country. We hope for your support.
– How important is it that countries like Japan support Ukraine and how can this help in the current situation?
– Japan is a very powerful country, as far as I know, it is the third largest economy in the world, so I think others will listen to such state.
– Also, Shakhtar learned about their future opponent in the Europa League today, it is Marseille. What can you say about this team?
– Yes, some of our players said that they wanted Marseille to be our opponent. Well, we will ask Ruslan Malinovskyi about this team and prepare.
– On what note does this year end for Shakhtar?
– Probably, we have achieved the main goal – we have reached the European spring. Of course, there is such nuance that we could compete for the Champions League play-offs, but this is what we have. It was not a bad season, we are ending the year with good emotions.