Today, the Ukrainian U-20 national team will play their second match at this year’s World Cup taking place in Chile. The team coached by Dmytro Mykhailenko will face their peers from Panama, who narrowly lost to Paraguay (2:3) in their first game of the World Cup 2025. Honored coach of Ukraine Myron Markevych shared his thoughts on the pre-match situation.
Myron Markevych. Photo — fckarpaty.org.ua— Myron Bohdanovych, it may not have been very convincing in terms of gameplay, but on the scoreboard, our youth team had a good start in the 2025 World Cup, beating South Korea (2:1). Will Dmytro Mykhailenko’s team be able to please us with a victory against Panama?
— Our boys need to understand one thing: if we beat Panama, that’s it — we move on to the Round of 16. The focus on this game among the Ukrainians must be maximum. After defeating a very strong team like South Korea, there should be confidence in Mykhailenko’s players.
I believe the players understand this and will enter the match charged up and fully prepared.
— Regarding motivation. With your experience, what advice would you give to the much younger Mykhailenko on how to motivate the boys without overdoing it?
— They need to forget about the first game, or rather — take the best things from it. Our boys had a particularly good start against South Korea. It would be great to start against Panama the same way, with that same mindset.
Also, it’s important to forget that we already have three points. We need to treat the match against Panama as a clean slate, that’s essential.
— Usually, you don’t change a winning lineup. Do you think Mykhailenko will make changes?
— I don’t think so. The same eleven players will start that played in the first match.
— What about Kristian Shevchenko, was it in vain that the son of the president of UAF was called up to the national team? Does Mykhailenko count on him, or was he called up just to check a box for the blue-yellow flags?
— It’s hard for me to answer that question because I haven’t seen him in training or in games. However, I think he has a good level; he plays for the youth team of English «Watford» for a reason. In England, no one plays easily, whether you are named Shevchenko or have some other surname.
— Youth championships, especially the World Cup, are always a showcase for scouts. Which of our players can or has already attracted the attention of foreign club scouts?
— In the game against South Korea, I really liked Synchuk and Pishchur.
— What did you think of the performance of the son of the iconic midfielder of Kyiv’s «Dynamo,» Oleg Husyev — Oleksiy?
— He matched the level against the Koreans. I hope he surpasses his father’s achievements. Oleg Husyev was a very classy player.
— Finally, as we conclude our conversation today, I would like to hear your prediction for the match Panama — Ukraine.
— Ukraine will win, and the score… we will see. The main thing is the points; we need to gain three points and calmly prepare for the next game.
Viktor Glukhentiy
