Ihor Kostiuk: "We have realized our chances. This is good news"

Dynamo's head coach Ihor Kostiuk commented on his team's 5-1 victory over Zorya in the 18th round of the Ukrainian U-19 Championship.

Igor Kostyuk

- Are you completely satisfied with the team's performance today? After the first half, the score was equal, maybe you had to make some adjustments during the break?

- The game plan we had worked in both halves. In the first half, our players looked fresher, although we failed to realize our chances, and we missed a quick ball from the penalty spot. Nevertheless, it is good that we got back into the game, and in principle, the game plan we had worked. I am pleased that the guys are doing what we ask of them, compared to the previous game. This applies to both the location on the football field and the quality of what we asked them to do.

- Most of the players of this Zorya team are graduates of the Dynamo Academy. For you, these matches are a kind of viewing of the players who will be able to strengthen Dynamo U19 next season?

- Yes, and we can see that these are fundamental matches. The players who play for Zorya are Dynamo pupils born in 2006. Those of them who perform better will join Dynamo U19 in the summer. Those who are better will stay with us, those who are not will move on. We are really looking at these guys. They have internal motivational moments: each of them wants to prove that he is better than the player who plays opposite him in the same position.

- Both matches with this team this season ended in defeats - 6:1 and 5:1. How would you generally assess the prospects of the Dynamo generation playing for Zorya U19?

- Undoubtedly, these are strong players, because they are the basis of the U17 national team. Eight players of this team are in the main team, this fact speaks for itself. They are promising players, although it is clear that physiologically they are not yet 100% ready for the U19 championship. They play with guys who are older than them. However, in some games, these players achieve results, and in general, it is a good experience for them to prepare for the Dynamo U19 team. Today we can see that Dynamo's club structure for training young players works well, many of Dynamo's pupils play for various UPL clubs.

- Today, Dynamo U19 scored 5 goals. Are you satisfied with the realization of chances, in particular by the strikers?

- If we scored 5, it means that we realized our chances. This is good news. Because if you even remember the previous game, it was not very successful in terms of quality. There were several moments when we had to score and win the game, but today we realized our chances. I am pleased that after scoring the first goal we continued to be disciplined, scored the second, third, and fourth goals, and did not stop. We did not relax, but played on, to the end, to win. Now we see this trend in Europe - they score 7 goals each, and after the 3rd, 4th, 5th goals they continue to run forward and keep their discipline.

- Do you instill this in your players?

- Yes, of course. We say that regardless of the score, you need to stick to the structure, the formation, everything we agreed on. And if possible, to score at every opportunity.