Former head coach and midfielder of "Dynamo" Oleksandr Hatskevych analyzed for "UF" the match between the New Zealand national team and the Ukrainian national team (1:2) at the Canadian Shield tournament.
Oleksandr Hatskevych
— Oleksandr Mykolayovych, in the match against New Zealand, Serhiy Rebrov made as many as nine substitutions compared to the disastrous game against Canada (2:4), and such an experiment, let’s call it that, yielded results. Thank God, teams of New Zealand’s level are still within our boys’ capability to win even with a semi-reserve squad, even though the islanders’ coach did not field his main players against Ukraine. Was the result of the game luck for us?
— In the match against New Zealand, Ukraine went out without conductors, i.e., players who direct and show partners where to run and how to play. Simply put — without our main stars. However, I liked that the boys played who, although they have a bit less skill than the starting players, fought for each other. There was really a team on the field!
The beginning was a bit chaotic, as for me, but then the Ukrainians calmed down and took the initiative, were quite aggressive in attack, effectively used the flanks, shot a lot, pressed when necessary, and, most importantly — there was a balance between attacking and defensive play.
Was the result of the game? I would say this — the main thing is that it is positive. It was important to win after the fiasco against Canada, which Rebrov’s wards did.
— The fans of the Ukrainian national team recognized Illia Zabarnyi as the best player of the match, the "lion," based on the outcomes of the game with New Zealand. Do you share the opinion of the overwhelming majority of fans?
— Currently, the surname Zabarnyi is well-known, and perhaps the fans just do not know other players ☺️ Personally, I liked Hutsuliak more.
— At the post-match press conference in Toronto, Serhiy Rebrov said among other things that the Canadian Shield tournament was useful and important for the national team, a good test before the qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup.
Many experts and journalists do not share such an opinion. For instance, commentator Ihor Tsyhanyk said the following, I quote: "This is the dumbest decision of the UAF from a sports point of view that could be made. This tournament is not needed by anyone." End of quote. What do you say?
— The participation of the Ukrainian national team in the Canadian Shield was announced not last week, but a long time ago. And the same bloggers, journalists, and experts almost unanimously previously said that it was great that Ukraine would participate in such a tournament, and now we have criticism...
You know, the head coach of the national team, unlike the club coach, does not have as much time to assemble the team and work with it as needed for a proper adaptation. Therefore, participation in the tournament in Toronto can indeed be called one of the stages in preparation for the qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup. I think this mini-tournament still gave a lot of information to Rebrov and his assistants. He could experiment, he had the right to make mistakes.
Any collection is beneficial for the national team, especially when there are official matches. I am confident that the defeat to Canada will benefit the Ukrainian national team, provided the right conclusions are made. Therefore, I do not share the opinion that the trip to Canada was pointless.
— The matches against Canada and New Zealand revealed new problems for the Ukrainian national team, or our defense, as before, still struggles the most?
— Rebrov pays a lot of attention to statistics, I know that for sure. If we look at the statistics and analyze the matches against Canada and New Zealand, Ukraine again has many problems after set pieces; goals are coming again from corners...
But there is still a lot of time before the qualifying matches for the World Cup. I reiterate, Rebrov needs to make the right conclusions and try to eliminate the shortcomings.
— What do you say about absolute newcomer Martyniuk from Oleksandriia? Will Oleksandr still have a chance to be called up by Rebrov to the national team camp?
— He showed himself quite well over the last season, playing for Oleksandriia in the UPL. He demonstrated stable play. I see that he is progressing.
Regarding his debut for the national team, he did not shy away either. He was active when he came on as a substitute, provided an assist to Zinchenko. He acted effectively in attack overall. As for whether he will continue to be invited by Rebrov to the national team, it is hard to say right now.
On the left side, Ukraine also has Mykhailichenko and Mykolenko, and Matviyenko. However, Mykola, let’s be honest, can no longer handle playing both ways, fulfilling a large workload. For me, whoever is in better physical shape in September (matches against France, formally at home on September 5 and against Azerbaijan on September 9, away, — note by V. H.), Rebrov will make his bet on that player. Overall, it is good that there is competition emerging. Martyniuk has all the qualities to compete for a place in the squad with Mykhailichenko.
— For the first time since 2020, Cheberko has been called up to the national team. A player who is little-known to the overwhelming majority of Ukrainian fans, as he plays overseas, representing the American Columbus.Was Yevhen taken to the tournament in Toronto because it was closest for him to fly there, or can he really establish himself in Rebrov’s team?
— In the center of defense in Ukraine, there are Zabarnyi and Matviyenko. Both players have experience. There is also Talovierov, who is regularly called up to the national team, but he does not show stability.
I do not think Rebrov called Cheberko just because he lives in the USA (after all, Svatok from Austin was not called up, – note by "UF"). Just like that, nobody gets invited to the national team. Serhiy Stanislavovych sees in him the necessary qualities, and again, the coach creates competition. And that is very good. No one will relax.
