Natalia Zinchenko: "We let in an unnecessary goal at the end"

Comments of the head coaches of the teams after the match between ZFK "Kolos" and ZFK "Metalist 1925" (1:2), in which the "yellow-blue" team added another three points to their tally.

Natalia Zinchenko ("Metalist 1925"):

- We have 22 footballers, anyone can play in the lineup. There are some health issues with Daria Apanashchenko, so we gave her a rest. I will say that we controlled the game in the first half. Then we relaxed a bit, wanted to finish it. We conceded an unnecessary valid goal, but endured and finished the game. There is some fatigue after the move, but of course, it's tough now and "Kolos" will have to travel. Congratulations to our opponent, they play well with enthusiasm. I wish them success in the European Cup!

- Two new players from "Kolos" moved to "Metalist 1925." What can you say about their adaptation? Who would you highlight today?

- I know these girls well: both Nadia and Veronika. They worked with me. There was no special need for adaptation. I won't highlight anyone. The team won, we have three points. Now we will rest a bit, the girls will go home. We have tough matches ahead against "Sisters" and "Vorskla." We have a lot of work to do.

- Can it be said that you are still deciding who will be the main goalkeeper?

- There is competition for this position. We trust both goalkeepers who go out to play. So there are no questions about that. The girls work well in training, as does our third goalkeeper Maria Denysych. This is a normal situation. I believe it's better for both to play alternately than for someone to remain on the bench.

Lyudmyla Pokotylo ("Kolos"):

- Today we practically played against the national team of Ukraine. I am very grateful to our girls for their character and dedication. We were preparing for a tough game. It's clear that against a team with so many national team players, we will play as the second option - from defense and on counterattacks. I really want to say hello to the referees. They did not count a goal against us from "Sisters" due to an offside position. I wish they judged a bit more fairly. The episode with Iryna Maiborodina was discussed all week, but no one discussed how they didn't count our goal. It's sad. Now we are heading to the European Cup. I am confident that "Kolos" will show a good game and earn points for Ukraine.

- Today, Dayana Semkiv received an award for a hundred matches in the Premier League. There was information that she might not participate in today's game, but we still saw her on the field. Was it her initiative or did you decide to let her play despite her injury?

- She already has a cast that allows her to play. Of course, she also wanted to. We really missed her from the start of the game, but she is a fighter. She comes out and shows her fighting qualities. She didn't ruin the game, but helped. Some players were tired, so this substitution was necessary. Grateful to her for that.

- How will you prepare the girls before traveling to Albania?

- I thanked them for the game, they are great, showed character today. We lost quite a few points, but there are many more matches ahead. Our youth is showing better play. We had strong opponents. We will continue to earn points. We are not going to give up, but will fight to the end. We are an ambitious team. I am sure we will succeed!