Ukrainian soccer star Oleksandr Zinchenko couldn바카라t hold back the tears as he tried to explain what it means to represent his country바카라s national team at this moment, with a spot at the World Cup within reach. ()
Ukraine is two games away from qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar, starting with a match against Scotland in Glasgow on Wednesday 바카라 which was postponed in March following Russia바카라s invasion of Ukraine. The winner at Hampden Park will play against Wales on Sunday in the decisive playoff.
바카라We want to give incredible emotions to the Ukrainian people because Ukrainians deserve it so much at this very moment,바카라 Zinchenko, the Manchester City defender, said at a news conference. 바카라Our mood, I would describe as a fighting mood, because everyone understands what is going on in Ukraine these days.바카라
Zinchenko put soccer in perspective, saying the one thing Ukrainians want is 바카라to stop this war바카라 but that those who could follow the game at home would do so.
바카라I바카라m pretty sure that all Ukraine who has this opportunity is going to watch us, and we are going to feel this support 100 percent,바카라 he said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave his blessing for Ukraine바카라s players and coach Oleksandr Petrakov to leave their homeland to prepare for and play what they hope will be two games in Britain this week.
바카라Clearly it바카라s a very difficult task to prepare your team for the game when every single player is thinking about mothers, fathers, close relatives, family back home in Ukraine,바카라 Petrakov said. 바카라We use all sorts of methods, even jokes. We motivate people in a light manner. But clearly every player understands how huge the task is.바카라
While Zinchenko and nine others in the 26-man squad have continued playing for clubs outside Ukraine since the war started in February, the home-based players have not had a competitive game since December. The national league paused for a midwinter break and never resumed because of Russia바카라s invasion.
With officials from Scotland and Wales giving their consent for FIFA to postpone the playoffs, Ukraine got extra months to prepare to field a team.
바카라Firstly, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Scottish national team 바카라 to the coaching staff, players, to the whole Scottish people 바카라 who have provided Ukraine with this incredible help,바카라 Zinchenko said.
A mutual respect is clear between the two teams ahead of the game.
바카라Nothing but good thoughts for them and good wishes for them 바카라 except during the game,바카라 Scotland coach Steve Clarke said Tuesday. 바카라Because obviously they want to go to Qatar and represent their country. But I바카라m desperate to go to Qatar with Scotland.바카라
The Scots and Welsh have their own historical motivation for denying Ukraine the last of the 13 European places at the World Cup. Scotland last went to the tournament 24 years ago and Wales has waited 64 years. Ukraine went to the 2006 World Cup and was a quarterfinalist.
Ukraine has prepared during a month-long training camp in the safety of Slovenia and players from its top clubs Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv also toured Europe playing games to raise money to help defend Ukraine.
Clarke said Ukraine바카라s players find themselves in 바카라an incredible situation. They will be ready for the game, no worries.바카라
He expects Scotland바카라s fans to respect Ukraine바카라s national anthem, even applaud it.
Zinchenko appreciated a publicity campaign to help Scottish fans learn the words of the Ukrainian song: 바카라We have to be together, we have to fight Russian aggression, we have to defeat that evil.바카라
