Famous Ukrainian coach Roman Hryhorchuk shared his emotions after the World Cup 2026 qualifying cycle match between the Ukrainian national team and the Icelandic team and explained why it doesn’t matter who we play against in the playoff round.
— A nerve-wracking victory, but we cannot overlook the dedication with which our players played the match against Iceland...
— I wouldn’t say that this victory was nerve-wracking — I didn’t feel that way, I saw that our players had tremendous effort and responsibility. Knowing that we have high-class players... With this approach to the match by the players — there were no worries. There was calm and it was clear that goals would come.
— Was this game the best performance by the Ukrainian national team in the group stage of the qualifying cycle?
— Was it the best? At this stage, this game was the most important. It should be noted that the team acted absolutely correctly, even despite such a difficult situation before the match. The players achieved the minimum objective! Now we should only speak about it in positive terms.
— The fans named Viktor Tsyhankov the «Lion of the Match.» Do you agree with this opinion? Who else could you single out after today’s match?
— I would confidently say, and many will agree with me, today on the field it was truly a team. In such cases, it’s not advisable to single anyone out. Today the whole collective played wonderfully, played as a team — a single unit. Everyone understood their goal and everyone was geared up to achieve this victory.
I don’t want to single anyone out, but if we are to make such a choice, I would highlight the goalkeeper. I understand that his actions were tremendously important, they were critically strategically important... These few saves by Trubin! I don’t know how things could have turned out, I don’t even want to talk about it. I think everything would have been fine regardless, but these actions were motivating for the whole team.
— Was Anatolii Trubin’s save at the end of the match the turning point of the game? Can we say that this particular action gave the national team the necessary impulse?
— It’s hard to say. In principle, with the kind of attitude our players had today, I think our national team would win this game under any circumstances, but these saves were extremely important for this victory.
— Oleksii Hutsuliak came on as a substitute (goal and assist) very well. Can we say that Serhiy Rebrov got the substitutions right and made them timely?
— We can confidently say that these were successful substitutions by the coaching staff. Everything went very well, which is why we must highlight the actions of Serhiy Rebrov and his coaching staff specifically regarding the adjustments made to the game. Hutsuliak’s actions — it’s just great when a player comes onto the field and decides the game’s fate! Of course, this deserves recognition.
— Will the pressure on Serhiy Rebrov lessen again after this victory?
— Rebrov is the coach of the national team of such a footballing country as Ukraine! That’s why he must always win. I support him and am absolutely confident that he is capable of achieving good results. I would like to say something very important that we must acknowledge. This speaks to Serhiy Rebrov’s level...
In such difficult moments, we see that he withstands the pressure and remains cool-headed. Rebrov solves the issues! The only thing left is to qualify for the World Cup — conversations will simply disappear! There will be only praise and words in a completely different direction.
— Which opponent would you choose for the national team in the playoff matches?
— I think, when a very difficult path has been overcome... Today we were on the brink and almost doomed, but... Now it’s not worth talking about potential opponents and choosing them. Any team that we might face, we are capable of overcoming — any team in the playoffs can be beaten. It’s not even worth choosing anything and waiting for the draw. Any opponent! The Ukrainian national team is ready to take the last step.
Oleh Vakhotskyi