Former forward of Kyiv's "Dynamo" and "Chornomorets" Valeriy Porkuyan shared what he expects from the return match between the Belgium national team and the Ukraine national team in the Nations League playoff for the right to compete in Division "A" of this tournament.
Valeriy Porkuyan— Our national team made all of Ukraine feel positive emotions on Thursday. A two-goal victory over a fairly serious opponent is worth a lot, that is for sure. The footballers of the Ukrainian team showed character and turned the game in their favor in the second half. What could not be done in the first half, the guys accomplished after the break.
The first goal by Hutsulyak was of great importance. He played very smartly when he did not hesitate to rush towards the Belgian defender, catching him out of position. And everything else was a matter of technique, which Oleksiy possesses — after all, he is rightfully on the list of top scorers in our championship.
The second goal was credited to the players on our right flank. Tsygankov made a perfect pass across the goal — and Vanat just had to successfully position his foot. In the case of the third goal, I give credit to Zinchenko, who was one of the most prominent figures in this match. Oleksandr crossed the ball in such a way that it was no trouble for Zabarniy to score. By the way, our central defender also deserves kind words, and this is not the first time.
In general, I would like to say that Serhiy Rebrov managed to make successful substitutions that proved crucial in the game against Belgium.
— What factors, in your opinion, can guarantee the "blue and yellows" a positive result in the current confrontation with the Belgians?
— It’s not hard to predict that our team will face difficulties in the away match. Even despite the result of the first meeting, Belgium should not be underestimated. This opponent is quite serious. The current Belgian national team may not belong to the "top" category in Europe, but they have been respected for several decades. It is difficult for me to say exactly how the Belgians will build their game in today’s match against Ukraine; however, logic suggests that they have no choice but to attack from the very first minutes. The coaching staff of the Belgian national team will presumably be preparing their players for an early goal, as its realization would boost the hosts’ confidence.
But regardless of that, our guys need to think about their own game. If they can skillfully and quickly transition from defense to attack, then I am convinced: a chance to catch the opponent off guard will definitely arise. I hope that Dovbik, who has gained invaluable experience in strong leagues such as La Liga and Serie A, will be able to participate in this match.
— Would you risk making a prediction?
— Although it is an thankless task, I will try. True, not about the specific result of the return match, but about the outcome of the two-round duel. I am confident that Ukraine will emerge victorious from this competition. I believe in the strength of our team. God willing, let it be so!
Vyacheslav Kulchytsky
