Ukraine aim to complete World Cup dream in Wales

Web Desk

04th Jun, 2022. 10:30 am
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It was their first competitive match since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Oleksandr Petrakov’s side faces Wales in Sunday’s play-off final in Cardiff.
Oleksandr Zinchenko says the game will be a “game of survival” for Ukraine.
Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey was given the night off by Wales ahead of Sunday’s clash.

Ukraine’s national football team brought pride to a war-torn country by defeating Scotland in their first competitive match since Russia’s invasion, but the task of qualifying for the World Cup is only half completed ahead of Sunday’s play-off final against Wales.

A trip to Qatar later this year awaits the winners at Cardiff City Stadium, where history awaits the host team.

Wales has not qualified for a World Cup since 1958, and manager Rob Page has called the encounter against Ukraine “the biggest match in Welsh history.”

The same might be said for Ukraine for various reasons, as they seek to bring peace and national pride to a country devastated by the Russian invasion.

“We played for those who fight in trenches, who fight with their last drop of blood. We played for Ukrainians who suffer every day,” said Ukraine coach Oleksandr Petrakov after his side outclassed Scotland to win 3-1 in Glasgow on Wednesday.

“We still have the Wales game in front of us. We will do everything to make Ukrainians proud.”

Petrakov acknowledged feeling emotionally “empty” following his triumph at Hampden Park.

However, the 64-year-old coach, who attempted to enlist in Ukraine’s territorial defense when war broke out, and his players must make another monumental effort to achieve their World Cup aspirations.

Six of the starting XI against Scotland were still under contract with Ukrainian clubs and had not played a competitive match in 2018.

As Artem Dovbyk scored the third goal for the visitors with the final kick of the game, his teammates fell to their knees in exhaustion instead of celebrating.

“We all understand that the game with Wales will no longer be about physical condition or tactics, it will be a game of survival,” said Oleksandr Zinchenko.

“Everyone will fight to the end and give their all because we will play for our country.”

Last chance for Bales

Ukraine’s trip to Scotland was delayed from March, barely weeks after the start of the war, to enable the visitors the opportunity to complete the match.

However, this alteration could have a lasting impact on who joins England, the United States, and Iran in World Cup Group B.

Wales were permitted to field a second-string team in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Poland in the Nations League due to Gareth Bale’s magnificent double in their play-off semi-final victory over Austria three months ago.

Bale and Aaron Ramsey were among the important players who were given the night off in order to preserve their energy for Sunday.

“We are well aware of the situation that Ukraine is in right now, and it must be incredibly tough to be in their shoes,” said Tottenham defender Ben Davies.

“We know it will be an emotional event and a lot of people will be wanting some good news for Ukraine, but we have to try and stay out of that and focus on 90 minutes of football.”

Bale and Ramsey were among the heroes of a magnificent Euro 2016 journey to the semifinals, but this will almost definitely be their last opportunity to qualify for the World Cup.

Since 2018, Page’s squad has not been defeated in 18 consecutive home games.

“It is something that we’ve been desperate to do for 50-60 years,” added Davies.

“It is major for us. It is a dream for our team and we’ve put ourselves in a situation where we are one game away, and the focus for us will be purely on that.”

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