Such recognition has become one among many good send-offs Koval deserved this season.
In August of 2012 Maxym proved his talent as Kyivans faced Feyenoord Rotterdam. One of ESPN holding (www.espnfc.com) reporters was very impressed with his play. He announced that Koval deserved the right to participate in the UEFA Champions League due to his skills and courage!
“Dynamo head coach Yuriy Semin was lucky to have the 19-year-old keeper Maxym Koval among first eleven who took the field against Feyenoord. Two years ago he got himself noticed as Kyivans faced AFC Ajax within the Champions League play-off round. Having become older he has demonstrated his skills again. 6 minutes into the match he saved Schaken’s netbuster. Later he didn’t let Immers score from the box and thus proved that he matches the level of the UEFA Champions League!”.
In January of 2013 www.givemefootball.com journalists included Koval to the list of 5 best European U-20 goalkeepers.
According to British reporters in Eastern Europe there is a good school of keepers and Koval can become one of them. “Being 16 Koval made his debut for FC Metalurh Zaporizhya. As he made 19 more appearances for Metalurh he was signed by FC Dynamo Kyiv. Koval is a very talented player who has already gained euro cups experience”, - explained journalists their choice.
In May the UEFA official website (www.uefa.com) chose Dynamo Kyiv goalkeeper maxym Koval as the best young player of 2012/13 season and defined him as follows:
“21-year-old FC Metalurh Zaporizhya trainee has been playing for FC Dynamo Kyiv for 4 years already. He has become the first team regular. And even though Dynamo finished 3rd in Ukrainian Premier League this season, Ukraine national team head coach Mykhailo Fomenko was impressed with Koval’s play and Maxym got the call-up for the World Cup qualifier against Montenegro”.
Koval has prolonged his contract with Dynamo till 2017. His dream is to bring back glory to the club where he still plays together with his idol Olexandr Shovkovskyi.
- I would be happy to be as important for Dynamo as Shovkovskyi is. Dynamo always struggle for Premiership. We’ll try to win the Ukrainian Premier League, Ukrainian Cup and some euro cup!
Let’s wish Maxym Koval and his teammates success in achieving their aims!
Oleh Zadernovskyi
* photo by V. Rasner
