The head coach of the U-17 national team of Ukraine Yuriy Moroz summarized the team's performance in the first qualifying round of Euro 2025 (U-17). The youth national team of Ukraine (players not older than 2008) has completed the task in the first qualifying round of Euro-2025 (U-17). The blue and yellows took second place, which allowed the team to reach the second stage of selection, which will take place next spring. After the team returned from Belgium, where the competition took place, the head coach of the Ukrainians Yuriy Moroz answered questions from the UAF official website.
- Mr. Yuriy, the task of reaching the next round of the Euros has been fulfilled. But is it a shame that you lost first place?
- Absolutely. I was pleasantly surprised by the team's attitude towards the game against the Belgians, despite the fact that the goal had already been achieved. Yes, we were satisfied with a draw, but if the guys had been a little more agile in attacks and counterattacks, the result could have been completely different. The goalkeepers of both teams played well. In my opinion, a draw would have been the most natural result.
- Based on the results of the entire tournament, what did you like most about the actions of your wards?
- First of all, their character. Let me explain why: losing the opening match to Kosovo 0:2, the guys demonstrated all their best qualities, not only turning the tide of the match, but also showing meaningful football.
I cannot but note the character of the team in the match with Kazakhstan. The game was difficult. The opponent defended well, ran well on the counterattack, and created a lot of problems for us. However, patience and desire helped the Ukrainian national team to achieve the maximum result. But again, we failed quite a bit in the match against the Belgians. Nevertheless, our team deserves the best praise. The guys are great. And here I would once again like to thank the coaching staffs of the clubs that train players for the national team. And in the national team itself, we are trying to make the most of what the guys have received in their teams.
- You mentioned the game against Kosovo. The first match in the tournament, the 12th minute, and we lose - 0:2. Were you shocked?
- What do you think (smiles)? We scored those two goals by ourselves. And here is the case when the guys themselves realized that they could not give up. Now all the teams are about equal, someone is lucky, someone has a better bench, maybe a few more talented players, and sometimes the result is made up of such nuances.
Today, everyone is trying to play football, but if there is no reliability in defense, it is much more difficult to achieve a result. In the game against Kosovo, we had a territorial advantage, we just had to do everything right at the other side of the goal. And the Ukrainian national team succeeded. That's why they remained confident in their abilities until the end of the tournament.
- The Ukrainian national team scored most of its goals after the break. What does this mean?
- About a good physical condition. And here again, the success of the club coaches is a great merit. And our task is to unite the team into one, give a certain direction, structure of the game and motivate the team.
- Mentors will always have complaints about their wards. What else do you need to work on?
- We have enough work to do. Our players are great, but after the last match of the qualifying round, I told my players that if you want to reach any heights in football, you can never rest on your laurels. Every day you need to work at your best, both at the club and in the national team.
- The draw for the second round will take place in December. It is not yet known which basket the Ukrainian national team will be in. Does it matter much for youth football?
- The moment of psychology is very important here. When you meet strong opponents in the first round and you don't concede much, it's a good sign. There are a lot of nuances in youth football. Everything has to work out in a certain place and at a certain time. To be honest, I expected a lot from Belgium. Yes, they are a good team, but you can play with them on equal terms and win. You have to respect the opponent, but at the same time remain yourself.
- How will the team prepare for the next stage matches to be held in the spring?
- I don't want to get ahead of myself, so far I can only say that in November, during the UEFA dates, we plan to play two control matches with the Croatian national team. And then we will discuss plans for next year...