Euro 2009 (U-21) qualifying. Ukraine - Liechtenstein, Ukraine - Czech Republic. Olexiy Mykhaylichenko pre-match press conference

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On Monday, November 12, Ukraine U-21 team had the open training session at Dynamo Kyiv training grounds in Koncha-Zaspa. The team is preparing for the Euro 2009 (U-21) qualifying matches again Liechtenstein and Czech Republic that will take place in Zaporizhya on November 17 and 21 respectively. Head coach Olexiy Mykhaylichenko told journalists about the latest news from the U-21 team camp. Unfortunately the news were mainly deplorable. Several more players were injured including one of the key players Kostiantyn Kravchenko. His participation in the matches is highly unlikely.

"I don't want to talk about sad news", said Mykhaylichenko trying to look optimistic. "There is no sense to complain because the problems won't disappear, they are an integral part of our work. We have to get maximum points in the upcoming matches and we are going to do that. There can be no excuses".

However it would be difficult. The U-21 team lost to injuries Bohdan Shust who remained in Donetsk and Olexandr Chyzhov who came to Kyiv but would probably not be able to play in Zaporizhya. "By the way, Dmytro Chyhrynskiy has returned to the main national team", Mykhaylichenko added.

"We'll have to do with players that are available. It is a possibility to new players to prove their claims for their places in the starting eleven", head coach said. "Instead of injured Shust we called up Metalurh Zaporizhya goalkeeper Volodymyr Zhuk, Serhiy Zeldi also returned to the team. Though we have only three fit defenders left, we will not call up any more defenders. Unfortunately there are no candidates that can really help us. We'll have to count on the versatility of players of other roles".

U-21 head coach expressed his hope that the pitch of the Slavutych Stadium would be well prepared for the matches. Our opponents who do not need to win in any case could have certain advantage on a bad turf. "We know Liechtenstein's potential well. Czechs are much more difficult opponents, they have two tall forwards who also possess technique and pace. Their wingers are also very good. However I cannot say that their team has no weak spots. We need to make use of them", Olexiy Mykhaylichenko said.

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