Ihor Kostyuk: "The first half of the season can be credited"

The senior coach of "Dynamo U-19" Ihor Kostyuk commented on the postponed match of the 8th round against Kharkiv "Metalist", in which his wards won at home with a big score of 5:0, and also summarized the results of the first half of the season.

Ihor Kostyuk (photo: fcdynamo.com)

— Is this half of the season perhaps the most difficult of your career?

— In our country, the situation is such that there are frequent air raid alarms, matches are postponed, many teams have not finished their matches. We played all our matches, albeit with delays, but it's okay, we need to adapt to the situation.

— Are you overall happy with the first half of the season?

— There is a process of formation of football players, the transition from children's football to adult football, there is a certain heterogeneity, but, in general, it can be taken into account. Young players already understand what we ask of them, so there is progress in this regard.

— What did you say in the dressing room after the match?

— Said that children's football is already over, that everyone should be professional and treat themselves differently. Coaches are only assistants, we can show, tell and hint, talk about mistakes that other players made in their place. And the main thing depends on them. Guys need to properly prepare for training and tune in to every session, every game. They also wished to take care of themselves, stay in safe places, I hope everything will be fine and we will meet after the New Year.

— Did the guys take the opponent seriously today?

— It was a difficult game, especially at the beginning. We were dealing with an aggressive team with good performers. But our boys withstood the pressure, did not lose in the setting. What we planned gave us results. It's good that the guys understand: if we agree on some tactics and interactions that they do on the field, it gives results.

— Do you already have plans for the near future?

— For now, we plan to meet in mid-January, and then we will look at the situation. Unfortunately, not everything depends on us.

— Will the footballers go home?

- Someone will go to their relatives, those who are under 18 will probably have the opportunity to go abroad.

— Draws with outsiders in the first part of the season — "Kryvbasom", "Chrnomoretsem", "Lviv" — is this a consequence of the transition from children's football to adult football?

— Yes, it's a matter of psychology, of setting up for the game, when with "Kryvbas" and "Chronmorets" we don't realize the moments or we go to the second half not in the mood, which leads to mistakes. This is the result of mood, adjusting to the opponent, an indicator of how to behave. Moments like that cost us four points. If we add the draw with Lviv, we get all six points, which we should not have lost.

— With the score 4-0 in favor of Dynamo, Metalist had a great moment when the ball hit the post, did they notice it?

— On this account, everyone wants to run forward and prove themselves. The full-backs played as full-forwards, because they also wanted to stand out (smiles). It's a matter of concentration.