Kryvbas head coach Yuriy Vernydub responded to a question about whether the heat had affected his team's performance in the Ukrainian championship match against Dnipro-1.
"You know, when I hear players complain about the heat... It's hard for the guys on the front line. There is heat and not only that. And it is thanks to our soldiers that we have the opportunity to hold the championship, for me to work as a coach and for the athletes to play. Perhaps it was unusual for us to play at one o'clock in the afternoon today.
Our matches always start at 18:00, and for the Dnipro team, on the contrary, at 13:00. Because of this, I built the entire training week in the classroom for this schedule - at lunchtime. After all, I realised that in the sun we could "float" somewhere, like butter on a hot frying pan. This was partly seen today.
However, this does not excuse us. I repeat once again that it is a sin for us to complain. The situation at the front is very difficult now. I am in touch with many soldiers, including those with whom I served at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. But I still believe that everything should end in our victory. These football victories are like that: they come and go... But the victory of Ukraine is the most important thing. That's why we hold on and believe in the Armed Forces of Ukraine!" Vernydub was quoted as saying by Kryvbas' official website.