Dynamo Kyiv forward Matviy Ponomarenko commented on the 3:0 victory over Epitsentr, in which he scored a beautiful direct free-kick goal.
– We hadn’t managed to score in two league matches, and today it was 3:0. Are we back on the winning track?
– Yes, thank God, we won. It was an important game for us today. Indeed, we hadn’t even managed to score in two games in a row. It was a little difficult mentally, but today we were determined to fight and win. Moreover, it was the coach’s birthday, so we had to give him a present. And we did.
Before this game, Epitsentr had conceded the fewest goals in the league, so we knew it would be a difficult match. But we also understood that we needed only a victory. We came out today with desire and achieved our goal, and now we move forward.
– Andriy Yarmolenko scored a goal that allowed him to equal Maksym Shatskikh’s record for goals in the Ukrainian league. What was the conversation like at half-time? Did you congratulate him individually, or did you have time to do that after the game?
– We’ll all congratulate Andrii Mykolaiovych after the game. At half-time we had a man-to-man conversation, discussed certain things with each other, and the coach gave us instructions on what to do. Nobody congratulates anyone at half-time because there is still the second half ahead, and we need to go out and play.
– You scored directly from a free kick. I actually don’t remember you scoring like that before… Had you been practising?
– Yes, I had. I often stay after training and take free kicks. Today I was given the chance to take one, and I scored. Great! I’m very happy that I managed to score and end the two-match goalless run. We move forward, and there’s more to come.
– You now have a full week to prepare, then Zorya in the next round, followed by the national team. What are your plans?
– We’ll see whether I get called up to the national team or not – I don’t know anything yet. We’re preparing. I have a full week ahead and preparation for Zorya, and then we’ll think about what comes next. So we’re preparing for Zorya and will go for the win.
– You’ve already mentioned that it’s Ihor Kostiuk’s birthday today. After scoring, you ran over to the coach. What did you say to him?
– I congratulated him on his birthday. What else could I say? (smiles)
