On June 7, the Ukrainian national team played a friendly match at the Canadian Shield tournament, losing to the Canadian team with a score of 2:4. Former coach of the blue-and-yellows Myron Markevich shared his thoughts on this meeting.
— Myron Bohdanovych, in my opinion, the composition of our national team was close to optimal, but what was it on the field?
— I don't even know why we had to go there. Walking on the field like that is unacceptable. In a couple of months, we will be playing against France in the World Cup qualifiers. We need to maintain at least some tone. I was very upset with how easily we conceded goals. The only good thing is that it was a friendly match.
— Footballers often say they play for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Isn't it embarrassing?
— The guys probably saw this disgrace. They may have conceded four goals, but they created almost nothing near the opponent's goal. The game from the Ukrainian team was incomprehensible. It can't be like that. There were many compatriots in the stands, they were waiting for our team’s arrival, and it rewarded the fans with a characterless defeat. I was ashamed of the national team.
— Before this gathering, everyone was surprised why Serhiy Rebrov called up only one nominal forward.
— Yes, Vladyslav Vanat was sent to the U21 national team, and Artem Dovbyk was probably injured. Nevertheless, of course, someone else should have been taken, at least to try to give someone a chance. That's the head coach's decision why he decided that way. It's better to ask him that question.
— Do you agree with Oleksandr Holovko, who said that Canada played an official match, and we played a friendly?
— Completely. It was immediately clear that the Canadians wanted to win. This was evident from the reaction of the head coach and the substitutes of the hosts. And we went onto the field to shake one place.
— It seemed that some of our players were afraid of contacts?
— Well, yes (smiles). If you are afraid, then you will always be caught by injury.
— Do the guys want to rest already?
— What are we talking about? Once you are on the field, especially in the national team jersey, you must give your all.
— For what merits is Bondar called up to the national team? What is he showing in Shakhtar?
— They decided to try. But we see that the experiment, to put it mildly, was unsuccessful. There are problems; we need to look for someone. Besides Zabarnyi, we have very serious claims on the defense.
I am surprised that Illia played a full championship in the EPL, played for the national team, and was fresher than those who rested in the Ukrainian championship. For us, this is a resort, not a championship. At least go out for one game and show yourself.
— I think one of the most experienced players of our national team, Matviienko, played very poorly. Don't you think the defender has regressed lately?
— I don't understand how someone with such experience can be outplayed. But the most frightening thing is that no one wants to work in defense. So why not change to a different game scheme with two defensive midfielders? It can't be like this; it feels like the Ukrainian footballers only want to play with the ball. Everyone just marks battles. France is not Canada. With such a game in the fall, we can get a complete bag. Yes, Kaluzhny tried to do something, but it was very little. The others are on clean balls. This is football from yesterday. There are still players; we need to think because with such a composition against France, it’s better not to go out at all.
— Who was the best, you already mentioned.
— Yes. Undoubtedly, it was Zabarnyi. He wanted to play. The rest, well…
— What words would you, as a coach, say to the players in the locker room?
— I don’t know. This is not the first time such a failure has happened. Romania at the European Championship, Belgium in the Nations League. Now here against Canada. I understand that losing is possible, but not like this, without will.
— Is this a hint at thoughts about the head coach?
— No way, that now someone needs to be changed. The footballers themselves need to think about what they are playing for. Everyone is watching the Ukrainian national team. Especially now, when there are serious problems in the country, and the national team is holding on. That’s the main thing. But we don’t see that right now.
— After such a defeat, should the national team, in order to rehabilitate, tear apart New Zealand?
— The issue is not New Zealand. We need to prepare for the qualifying tournament of the 2026 World Cup, particularly for the first matches against France and Azerbaijan. Because there will be no time for a warm-up. And I have already said that France is not Canada. If we give this top team room to breathe, the consequences could be very bad. Something needs to change, as these failures have been dragging on.
Sergiy Dem'yanchuk