Oleksandr Funderat: We haven’t lost any of our structures

FC Shakhtar Academy director has summed up the annual results of the Academy’s work.

About 2014 as whole

- The year turned out to be difficult because we have been playing away home. Of course, wanted to return, but even before the summer finals of the tournament we played on the road. Perhaps, all those events resulted to us having only two champions in the DUFL - U-14 and U-15 sides. We would like to have more champions, because the last time we took three first places. But this time there was a number of objective reasons. For example, our U-17 team took final exams not in the place of where they studied, but in Kyiv. Nevertheless we pulled ourselves together, found new places to be based in. Our goals are the same as before. We are organizing the training process of the highest quality in new conditions. I would like to thank the club for the fact that we have not lost any of our structures. All teams of Shakhtar are participating in competitions. Many of our players are represented in the national teams. Most of all those who were born in 1996. They advanced to the elite round of the European Championship. In addition, all first-team players actively participated and scored goals. In general, they were key players in their national teams. Also, let’s do not forget the youth side. Yes, a lot of our guys are not now in the structure of our club, but 12 graduates of our Academy were called up.

About Shakhtar U-14 and U-15

- We lost a lot of guys because of the current situation in the country. Still, this age is under the care of parents. They have been highly wary of our moves. But by and large, we have been able to form the group of players whom we wanted. Here the scouting service was minimally involved. Basically guys are graduates of our school. I think everyone can see that the club pays attention to children's football. We try to keep a high level.

About Shakhtar U-16

- This team performed successfully. After the autumn part, they took first place in the group. Our minimum objective is to get to the final part of the DUFL. Everyone has this task. And according to the regulations, 3 teams advance from the group. Yes, there was a misfire from with Yunist Chernihiv. True, there were reasons behind that. The quality of the pitch was poor. Besides, this is football, errors happen. We beat Dynamo Kyiv to remain on top.

About Shakhtar U-17

- Here we employed a new coach - Gennadiy Orbu. I note that the guys obviously have started to move from youth to senior football. Of course, in the season 2013-14, they showed a bad result - seventh place. But now their game looks more mature. I think at this stage Orbu’s work can be assessed as good. He instilled a sense of responsibility in the team, pays great attention to players’ skills, and the result of his work can be seen on the football field.

About Shakhtar U-19

- I am very pleased with this side! In the championship they reached the final spring part from first place. There are no weak teams, so it will continue to be interesting. In addition, they advanced form the UEFA Youth League group stage from first place. They absolutely deservedly finished first, it was clear from the quality of the games. I hope the team will show good result in the future too. The minimum objective is perform better than last season.

About Shakhtar-3

- We understood that there are many graduates of the Academy; they need the experience and the ability to switch from child to adult football. Our team, in fact, are the youngest in the Second League. Maybe it's partly prevented to achieve better results. On the quality of the game, we are rarely inferior to someone, but often conceded in the last minute. Shakhtar-3 are the team where player, who need practise, can get it. And let's not forget that some of the guys from this group still played for the U-19 side in the UEFA Youth League. I mean Sagutkin, Arendaruk, Shtander. Thus, we wanted to give an opportunity to gain international experience to as many of our players as possible.

FC Shakhtar
Press Office