Former Kyiv Dynamo midfielder Andriy Oberemko shared his impressions of the match from the final 6th round of the 2026 World Cup qualifying group stage Ukraine vs. Iceland (2:0), and assessed the prospects of the Ukrainian national team in the playoffs for the right to enter the final part of the upcoming World Cup.
Andriy Oberemko— The national team entered the match with a clear task — to win. Did you expect such quality and intense football from the team? What surprised you the most in their game?
— Of course, the expectations were justified because a whole group of players was fresh since they did not participate in the game against France. Besides, there was no other way except for intense football — the team needed only a victory.
— Ukraine created several sharp moments already in the debut of the meeting. How do you explain that they managed to score only at the end of the match? Is it a matter of skill or just bad luck?
— This is football, it’s impossible to predict when you’ll score a goal — that’s what makes the sport interesting, it keeps you in suspense. Besides, our team was opposed by a strong national team with equally bright players.
— The team often intercepted the ball and cleverly occupied space. Can it be said that Rebrov tactically outplayed his colleague from Iceland? What elements of his plan worked best?
— I repeat: a fresh group of quality players came out, united by one goal — to win. And it’s impossible to change things significantly tactically in such a short time between matches.
In addition, Viktor Tsygankov played a very strong match: all the moments created near the Icelandic goal were his personal achievement and skill. The national team lacks such players.
— Ukraine actively used flank crosses. In your opinion, could Yaremchuk’s appearance from the first minutes have improved the implementation of these crosses? Or was the problem not so much in the forwards but in the quality of the passes themselves?
— These are guesses and reflections on the «what if» theme. You need to be in the coach’s place to understand his train of thought.
— The pair of central defenders Matviyenko–Zabarnyi looked reliable, and Iceland created a minimum of moments. Do you see this duo as a stable defensive foundation for the coming years?
— The reliable play of the central defender pair is not only their merit but also the work of the national team’s midfield. Yes, at the moment, this duo looks the most balanced and cohesive, but life and football go their way, everything changes. I am confident that new players will soon appear to compete.
— Fans expressed complaints about the refereeing after the match. Do you really think there were questionable episodes in Taylor’s actions, maybe he didn’t whistle for an obvious foul somewhere? How did his refereeing affect the course of the game?
— I liked the referee’s performance. He allowed both teams to fight to the last on the verge of fouls, so to speak, maintaining the spirit of the game, the match’s status, and the importance of the result for the teams.
— After Malinovskyi’s return, the national team noticeably improved. Can we talk about him as one of the key leaders of the team today? What is his contribution?
— Yes, at the moment, Malinovskyi, with his experience in European leagues and the number of matches for the national team, is indeed a true leader both on the field and in the locker room. In this game, he didn’t look as bright as in the first match against Iceland, but his presence on the field kept the opponent’s midfield and defense under tension. In addition, he plays calmly under pressure, on skill, without fear, adding confidence to his partners.
— Before the match, there was a lot of criticism directed at the coaching staff — from the squad selection to tactical decisions. Do you think this criticism affected the team and Rebrov personally?
— I highly doubt that criticism somehow affects the head coach and his staff. They are used to working under pressure, have a lot of experience, and most importantly — they clearly know what they want to achieve and how they will pursue it.
— Based on the quality of the game in this match, what key conclusions should Rebrov draw before the next playoff matches?
— I am sure the coaching staff will analyze everything independently and draw conclusions. I should not highlight or comment on such moments.
— Is our national team capable of reaching the World Cup? Maybe someone needs to be additionally called up to the team?
— We will wait for the draw, then something can be said. Although, at the playoff stage, there are simply no convenient or walk-over opponents. Moreover, our national team hasn’t reached the World Cup for 20 years, and the upcoming spring opportunity will be a big chance. There will still be winter training camps for players in clubs, and closer to the matches, it will become clear how they are doing. I wish only for everyone to be healthy and in a good mood. I am confident that we will see some new faces in the spring — the youth is growing up and confidently knocking on the door of the national team.
Andrey Vitrenko
