"All in my hands": Yermakov on returning to UPL, FC Kharkiv's victory over Veres, and the Ukrainian national team
Georgiy Yermakov in an exclusive interview with "UF" talked about his move to FC Kharkiv, victory over Veres in UPL, and chances of being called up to the Ukrainian national team again.
After spending a year abroad at Maccabi (Haifa), Georgiy Yermakov returned to Ukraine and joined the ambitious project of FC Kharkiv. In his very first championship match, the goalkeeper kept a clean sheet and helped his new team defeat Veres (1:0).
In an exclusive interview with the website "Ukrainian Football," Yermakov talked about the adaptation period, successful comeback in UPL, and his chances of being called up to the national team again.
- "I want to be part of a team that sets high goals."
– Georgiy, it was your first match in UPL after returning to Ukraine. When did you find out that you would start in the game against Veres?
– I found out that I would start two days ago (July 30, - Ed. note). I prepared for this game as responsibly as for any other. I understand that I joined the team not so long ago, so I try to be as focused as possible and do everything to perform my job as best as I can.
– How did you perceive the invitation from FC Kharkiv? What was decisive in your decision to return to Ukraine?
– I accepted this invitation with great joy. I knew well the ambitions of the president of FC Kharkiv and the vision for the club's development. It is very important to me because I always want to be part of a team that sets high goals. It is truly inspiring because when you see that the club's ambitions align with yours, you want to work even harder and do everything to achieve high results together. That's why I'm here.
- "We created enough chances in the match against Veres, but finishing let us down."
– Why, in your opinion, was the victory over Veres so hard for the team?
– I wouldn't say that the match was hard. We created enough chances, but somewhere we lacked the final pass, somewhere - the finishing shot. It was our main problem today.
– Did you expect such a game from the opponent while preparing for the match?
– We knew that Veres would defend with all their might. So it was important not to panic, even when we couldn't score for a long time and the score remained 0:0. We continued to do our job, create pressure near the opponent's goal, and eventually it brought us the result.
– What adjustments did the coaching staff make during halftime?
– Yes, there were adjustments. They were tactical and related to the positioning of players on the field. We also discussed among ourselves how to act better in certain game situations. I think it helped us after the break.
– Which of the dangerous moments near your goal was the most challenging for you?
– There were two. I think the most difficult was a moment in the second half. After a shot, there was a slight deflection, the ball changed trajectory slightly, so I had to kick it away.
- "I really missed Ukraine."
– How is your adaptation going, and how did you experience the restless night in Kyiv before the game against Veres?
– I spent the night with the team at the hotel. It was calm for me - I slept well. I really missed Ukraine. It's nice to be back home, and the fact that many guys I know play in the Kharkiv club significantly facilitates adaptation.
– Who are your closest friends in the team?
– Probably Ivan Kalyuzhny, Oleksandr Martinov, and Artem Shabanov.
– How do you usually prepare for matches? Do you have any superstitions or personal rituals before the game?
– Probably the most important thing for me is to get a good night's sleep before the game. That's number one for me. I try to go to bed and wake up at the same time, and then I do the usual things that help me stay focused. Then - standard warm-up considering the opponent's specifics. It helps prepare the body, tune the reaction, and be able to make the right decisions quickly during the game.
"Ukrainian national team? It's all in my hands now."
– What are your plans for this evening?
– Usually, after the match, the main focus is on recovery. Honestly, I don't know yet what plans are for this evening. I've been in Ukraine for only three days, so there are still many household matters to take care of. I think we'll spend the evening with my wife in a family circle. Maybe we'll go out for dinner or order food at home.
– You are a candidate for the Ukrainian national team. Have you already spoken to the head coach of the national team after your return?
– I haven't had any contact with the head coach since the last call-up to the national team. I understand that it all depends primarily on me - on how I play and what level of football I show. So now it's all in my hands.
