Dynamo Kyiv goalkeeper Ruslan Neshcheret summed up the results of the Ukrainian Cup round of 16 match against Shakhtar Donetsk (2:1).
Ruslan Neshcheret. Photo — Yu. Yuryev— Dynamo beats Shakhtar for the first time in four years. What are your emotions?
— Positive. Not only Dynamo, but I also won for the first time in the «classic», so only positive emotions. It was bitter to lose in the Ukrainian Cup final, in a match that we should not have let go. I wanted revenge for what happened. I think the fans liked the result today.
— You conceded first but managed to make a comeback. What did you feel at the moment of the goals?
— To be honest, we conceded a random goal. But we endured the first half. Such things happen in football when one team slightly dominates the other; you need to endure, and when the opposing team has a little less strength, you can fight back.
— There are few UPL representatives left in the Ukrainian Cup. What do you think about this tournament format?
— It’s a cool format, I like it. We, the Premier League team, can go to a village, and it will be a big celebration there. But the draw brought us together with Shakhtar. I didn’t expect this, but anything is possible in this Cup.
— How much more interesting is the blind draw? Should strong teams meet at later stages?
— I remember we were returning from a match, and everyone on the bus started saying we got Shakhtar. At first, I didn’t even understand how a match with Shakhtar could be in the round of 16. Then I was convinced it was true. But it was interesting to play against them today.
— Ahead is another game with Shakhtar, this time in the championship. The last time there were two «classics» in a week was in 2009 when the teams met in the UEFA Cup. Does this add motivation in training?
— Listen, you don’t even need motivation here. When you know you will play against Shakhtar, it’s like an additional incentive for you as a footballer. You always want to play against them, you always want to fight for a positive result.
— Now Dynamo has more fans on the stands. After the match, the team approached the fan sector. How much did they inspire you to win?
— When there are so many of our fans in the stands, it’s additional motivation and responsibility. It was very pleasant to feel how they cheered and pushed us to victory. Their contribution to this victory is also significant.
