The goalkeeper of FC Dynamo Kyiv Ruslan Neshcheret commented on the away victory over Polissya Zhytomyr (2:1).
- It was a difficult but deserved 2:1 victory. What are your first emotions and thoughts after the match?
- It was tough, we were very exhausted. I think we won thanks to our character because the first half was not easy. We conceded a goal that was later disallowed and then Polissya converted a penalty. I think the team showed great character - we didn’t stop and kept increasing the tempo. Someone might say our goals were accidental but football is made up of exactly such moments.
- From the first minutes Polissya attacked very actively. Did you expect such strong pressure from the start?
- Of course. When we played them in the first round they also started very actively and even scored first. So we expected that. But again our team played very compactly and in a coordinated way, and that brought the result.
- Unfortunately your clean-sheet streak ended this year. Does that disappoint you a bit?
- No, I didn’t really pay attention to that because the most important thing for me is the team’s victory. Such streaks are just a nice bonus. Today it was important for me to win even if I had conceded two or three goals.
- How difficult was it for you and the team to regroup after conceding?
- To be honest that episode was a bit unclear. It seemed to me that the ball hit Korobov on the shoulder. But moments like that actually give extra motivation to press more and try to break through the opponent’s defense. It was good that we managed to score right before halftime because otherwise the second half might have been more difficult.
- Did the strong pressure from the stands distract you or have you already learned to ignore it?
- I always ignore it. I don’t listen to whistles or shouts. I focus on the game and do everything I can to help the team win.
- Matvii Ponomarenko scored another brace today and now has a streak of productive matches. How did the team congratulate the striker?
- He’s doing great. We’re very happy that he’s scoring because it makes the job easier for the whole team, including the defense. When a striker can convert even a half-chance it’s very important. Of course we congratulated him and want him to keep going and not stop. Everything will be good for him.
- Just a few minutes before the end of the match an air raid alert was announced. Did it disrupt the rhythm of the game?
- Maybe a little. But there’s nothing we can do - those are the circumstances. We had already felt the excitement near the end of the game and then the alert happened. It may have slightly disrupted the rhythm but it’s good that we held on and managed to finish the match with a victory.
- Next up for Dynamo is the Kyiv derby against Obolon. Are you already thinking about that match?
- Yes, of course. Starting tomorrow we will begin preparing and focusing on the next game.
