The goalkeeper of Kyiv «Dynamo U-19» Vyacheslav Surkis shared his emotions after yesterday’s UEFA Youth League match against Swedish «Brommapojkarna» (1:0), in which he scored the only goal.
— Of course, the impressions of the match were good. It was a tough game against a strong opponent, the champion of Sweden; such a title isn’t earned easily. The red card that our player received in the 30th minute forced us to adjust. Ihor Volodymyrovych and the coaching staff guided us on how to do it, so we managed to do it quickly. I’ll repeat, it was a really tough game, but I am proud of the team, the guys who gave everything for the victory and kept playing, never stopping for a second, no matter how tough it was.
— Despite playing short-handed, everyone gave their all on the field until the end, so there were hardly any opportunities near your goal. How organized and disciplined do you think the performance was?
— The fact that there were few opportunities near my goal is the merit of all the guys because I can, of course, give hints, but I won’t move around and meet the opposing players. This was done in coordination by my partners, and indeed, the opponent created only one chance at the end of the match. I saved it — it’s my job, I have to be ready regardless if it’s the first minute or the last. Overall, everyone played well, was seriously determined, and at times it didn’t even feel like we were playing short-handed.
— After the first match, «Dynamo U-19’s» advantage in the score is minimal, and besides, in two weeks in the return match you’ll have to play on artificial turf, will this give the opponent an advantage?
— Of course, it will be a tough game. Bohdan Redushko won’t travel with us due to disqualification. As for the artificial field, I don’t see it as a problem because we don’t pay attention to conditions — we will play despite the circumstances. If we act as a team, like we did today, I’m confident that everything will work out and be fine.
— Don’t you think that for the second season in a row, «Dynamo U-19’s» opponent in the second round of the UEFA Youth League is tougher than it might be in the third? What’s your overall take on the draw?
— First of all, I believe there are no weak opponents in the UEFA Youth League. Yes, in the next round we might meet the «2 Korriku» team, as last season, but they are also the champions of their country. Even though it’s Kosovo, it doesn’t change the essence — the team is good. Today’s opponent was also strong, and if we advance further, it won’t get easier. This is the Path of Champions, meaning we are dealing with the champions of their countries, so we have to be prepared for everyone as if it’s the last game. We must be ready for everything and not relax.