Honored coach of Ukraine Myron Markevich shared his impressions of the events at the 2022 World Cup in a conversation with the "Team1" correspondent.
Myron Markevich— First of all, I am very pleased that the Japanese and Koreans made it to the playoff round, when each performer clearly knew his maneuver, one can only envy. It is no coincidence that after the loss to the Japanese, the Spanish coach Luis Enrique said that if necessary, the opponent would not limit himself to only two scored goals. The Japanese were so determined to win! It remains to be reminded that in a similar style they forced the Germans to capitulate and who after that would dare to call their takeoff accidental...
— Which national teams' performance would you still single out?
— I was very impressed by the football that the Americans and Canadians demonstrated. These national teams are mainly young footballers, and if they continue to progress so rapidly, they will be among the main contenders for victory in the next world forum, which will be held precisely in these countries and in Mexico in 2026. It is the teams of the USA and Canada, despite the fact that the latter have already left Qatar, that I would call the opening of the reporting tournament.
— But the championship in Qatar was also full of surprises. Who could have expected that Germans or Belgians would be among the losers...
— I agree, although there was a certain regularity in this. The same Belgians at one time delayed the process of changing generations and paid the price. In Qatar, it became clear that the long-term leaders are no longer pulling.
As for the Germans, they probably did not do without reassessing their capabilities, which had a negative effect on concentration. The national team, which was going to take a shot at a place on the podium, does not have the right to act with such elementary mistakes in defense, as it was in the matches with the national teams of Japan or Costa Rica.
— Perhaps the performance of the Germans and Belgians was negatively affected by the fact that they did not have time to recover after exhausting club competitions?
— It is difficult to say, but let's not forget that the coaches of these national teams knew in advance when and where the current championship would be held and should have calculated everything.
— Was there any national team that frankly disappointed?
— Yes, the football players of Wales and it is a pity that the Ukrainians stumbled on them in the playoff match. It's a pity, because I'm sure that the Ukrainian national team would not be a stranger to the football festival in Qatar. Moreover, in my opinion, the current national team, which has many young, talented performers, is the strongest during the years of independent Ukraine.
— During the group round, did you remember any homemade preparations in the performance of the competition participants?
— No, first of all, because nowadays it is impossible to surprise with something. Everyone has already learned to play football at a fairly high level, especially since there are no random participants in the final program. Self-sacrifice, willingness to jump above the head comes to the fore.
— The playoff matches begin today. What matches are you looking forward to?
- Netherlands - USA and Morocco - Spain. In particular, I am interested in whether the Pyrenees will draw the right conclusions after the fiasco in the match against the Japanese, when instead of looking for the shortest paths to the goal, they focused on controlling the ball.
— Then finally, who do you prefer in the fight for the title of champion?
— To the Brazilians, the French and the Argentinians, with their stellar lineups. Although it must be admitted that even these national teams are very dependent on the play of their leaders - Neymar, Mbappe, Messi. That is why surprises are also possible...
Vasyl MYKHAILOV
