Vladislav Vanat: "The first goal for the national team, I feel, is looming".

Vladyslav Vanat, the forward of Kyiv Dynamo and the Ukraine national football team, summed up the results of the game of the Euro 2024 qualifying round against Northern Macedonia (3:2), in which he played for the national team in an official tournament for the first time.

- Emotions, of course, are positive. Because we won, losing 0-2, but showed character at the right moment.

- You joined the game after the break. What instructions did Serhiy Rebrov give you?

- He said that the opponents had slow defenders, and therefore you need to run behind them, use the clear zones. It was evident that North Macedonia were getting tired in the second half. There were gaps in their formation and we could have scored even more than we did.

- The Ukraine national team took the field after the break, with great desire. Did the coach manage to redirect the team?

- Yes, of course. At halftime there was a good conversation in the locker room. After the break, everyone was more motivated.

- It was difficult to find the momentum in the attack?

- Not easy. There were a few moments, but the main thing is that we won. Positive result pleases everyone.

- The moment when Tsygankov tried to cross the ball from the flank and you were completely free at that moment. A little disappointed that you did not get a pass in that episode?

- Yes, I was in the empty net, but Vitya said he saw me at the last moment. That`s ok, in the next game he will give me two goals and everything will be ok.

- How do you feel about the pace of the national team in general?

- It`s hard, of course. You need to adapt to this level and perform at your best.

- When can we expect your debut goal for the national team?

- Goal is brewing, I feel it. (Laughs).

- How difficult is it to join the game in the course of it and not in the starting line-up?

- It makes no difference. The main thing is to come out and play. And then as the coaching staff decide, so it will be.

- Why in the first half we did not manage to do anything?

- I do not know, I'm not the coach.

- And from the outside, what was your impression?

- It seemed that the boys were a bit nervous, they were not ready to face the opponents' pressure. But we regrouped and, thank God, everything worked out.

- How would you assess the quality of the lawn?

- It was a little difficult. The pitch was sticky and our feet got a bit 'bogged down'.

- Could you hear our fans?

- While I was sitting on the bench, I heard them, but as soon as I went out onto the pitch I stopped hearing everything except the game. But of course, we are grateful to all our fans who came to the stadium to support us in this match, and who were rooting for us while watching the game on TV. And, of course, a big thank you to our warrior-heroes who defend our country every day.