Dynamo U-19 striker Matvii Ponomarenko, who scored a goal in the home match against Rukh Lviv and is the top scorer in the youth championship with 15 goals, shared his impressions of the 2-0 victory.
Matvey Ponomarenko (photo: fcdynamo.com)- Was the match against Rukh more fundamental and important than a regular league game?
- Of course, this game was fundamental, but we are serious about all our matches. We were very motivated for this match because Rukh won the championship last season and is one of our main competitors this season. In addition, Dynamo failed to beat them twice in the last championship, so it was an additional factor.
- You had several opportunities before the goal, but the opposition goalkeeper saved every time. Didn't you think that today was not your day?
- You can think a lot of things during the game, especially if you don't score several chances in a row. This time I had full concentration on the game, I was very determined to score. After the match, I will have time to think about what I did wrong. I believe that I did not lose my focus on the goal after several saves by the goalkeeper and did the most important thing - scored.
- Your goal was the winner, but it was not quite your usual one - this time after a solo pass from deep and a shot from a distance. Can you remember if you've scored such goals in your career before?
- For me, it doesn't matter how I score goals. A goal is always a goal, so the most important thing for me is that the ball ends up in the net. However, it was probably my most beautiful goal this season, and it was also the winner against a direct rival for first place. So its importance outweighs its beauty.
- At this rate, you can score 30+ goals in the league. Do you have any personal goals in terms of performance?
- I won't hide the fact that I want to become the best scorer in the league. I think this is a normal personal goal for a centre forward with ambition. However, of course, the success of the team comes first, and we are well aware that for Dynamo there is only a championship, so winning every match is the main task. I will be very happy if I can help the team win this championship and add the title of top scorer to it.
- How does the team react to so many of your goals ?
- We don't have any personal attitude to the goals of this or that player. I just get congratulated more often (smiles).
- What did Ihor Kostiuk say after the match? Was he satisfied with the quality of the team's performance?
- We haven't analysed the match itself yet, but I think the coach saw the positive aspects of our game against a direct competitor. Ihor Kostiuk congratulated us on the victory, so far everything has been on an emotional level, but it is clear that we will analyse both mistakes and successful episodes.
I want to express my gratitude to our Armed Forces. At night, our titans did everything possible to ensure that millions of Ukrainians could go about their daily or professional lives today. This heroism cannot be overestimated, and we all owe a debt of gratitude to these people.
