What do we have to offer?

April 10th, 2006 | by: Xrystofor Fedak |

I’ll start by saying, in my opinion, we’re an underrated team. Opposite to what the popular opinion is ; We have much more then only Andriy Shevchenko. In the next few paragraphs, I will better explain just who are these “tools”.

First, a great Goalkeeper. Olexandr Shovkovsky, the number one Goalkeeper for Ukraine, and FC Dynamo Kyiv for quite some time now. If it wasnt for him, and his timely saves at just the time we needed them ; I don’t know if we would be in Germany. If we are to do well in Germany, then “Sasho”, as he is called in Ukraine, will, and must be one of the biggest leaders of our team.

Second, a young, skilled, and strong midfeild. Mainly, Anatoliy Tymoschuk. Just entering his prime, Anatoliy has been rumoured to be heading to multiple English club giants, including teams like Arsenal, Manchester United, and Everton. Anatoliy is a leader on and off the feild, and has even said, he only wants to leave Ukraine for another country if it helps in the growth of Ukrainian football. Currently a key player for FC Shakhtar Doents’k, no one knows how much longer he’ll remain in Ukraine. Could be forever, could be untill the day after the World Cup ends. Aside from Anatoliy, our midfeild contains other weopons, mainly, two Dynamo Kyiv players : Oleh Husyev and Ruslan Rotan’. Not to mention Andriy Husin, who scored some of the most important goals in Ukraines qualifying campaign.

Aside from the “mighty” Shevchenko, we also have another striker who regularly plays : Andriy Voronin. Andriy, a native of Odesa, currently plays for FC Bayer Leverkusen of Germany. Hes a very hard worker, and never gives up on the ball. Many of his goals for Ukraine have come by opposing players paying too much attention to “Sheva” and leaving Andriy Voronin wide open. And even aside from these two, we have two FC Shakhtar Donets’k players who are notoriously dangerous strikers : Olexiy Byelik, and Andriy Vorobey. Although its not expected either of them will be starters this World Cup, count on both of them to make at least an appearence or two on the feild ; Which in their case could mean a goal or two.

Now, our defense. Defense was one of Ukraines strongest assets during World Cup 2006 qualifying. Yes, having a Goalkeeper like Shovkovsky in net did help ; But so did our defence. On defence, our main tool is Andriy Rusol, who plays for FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovs’k. Like many other Ukraine players, Rusol has been linked with moves to bigger European clubs ; But nothing is concrete yet. Rusol has been solid for the entire time he has been on the national team. He is young, and hasn’t even been in the Ukrainian National Team rotation for over 3 years. Aside from Andriy Rusol, we have two other solid defenders : Andriy Nesmachny, and Serhiy Fedorov.

Last, but certainly not least : The coach of Ukraine. Oleh Blokhin is often called the greatest Ukrainian footballer in history, even ahead of Shevchenko ; But it would take a brave man to compare the two. He has instilled a whole lot of confidence in our National Team’s players ; And in the fans. As he always says regarding Ukraine “We respect all of our opponents, but fear none”. This is a great attitude to have, and so far its been working. Even before Oleh saw any World Cup groups, he made one guarantee : Ukraine would be in World Cup 2006. Once the draw was made, and Ukraine were with 3 European powerhouses – He stuck by his word. Oleh has already lifted a major European trophy ; For FC Dynamo Kyiv. Will he be able to lift a major world trophy, for “Ukrayina”? Only time will tell.