Wales and Ukraine will face each other in Cardiff on Sunday evening in a decisive play-off match with a ticket to the World Cup in Qatar. For the Ukrainians, given the war situation, a victory would be very special and emotional.
The first hurdle towards the World Cup was taken in Glasgow on Wednesday, where Ukraine was 1-3 too strong for Scotland. It was the first international match for the team of national coach Oleksandr Petrakov since the Russian invasion and that made a lot of sense.
When entering the field, the Ukrainian players had their country’s flag on their shoulders. The national anthem was sung by the Ukrainians and Scots. And the team photo was posed with the flag, which once again plays an important role in Wales on Sunday.
“I have no personal contact with the military, but players from my team have. They received a flag from them and we promised that we would hang it in the dressing room,” Petrakov said during his press conference on Saturday.
“The situation in Ukraine is very difficult. Not everyone has the opportunity to watch football and there are people who choose not to watch because of all the problems. Nevertheless, we try to focus.”
The Ukrainians are one victory away from a special World Cup participation.
The Ukrainians are one victory away from a special World Cup participation. Photo: Getty Images
‘It will be the match of our lives’
Making it to the World Cup would be special for both Ukraine and Wales. As an independent state, the Ukrainians only made it to the world championship in 2006, while the Welsh team hopes to participate in the global final tournament for the first time in 64 years.
Petrakov is wary of Wales, who have home field advantage at Cardiff City Stadium. The 64-year-old national coach says that he has studied the playing style of his colleague Rob Page’s team in the past week.
“They have very good players. Especially Aaron Ramsey, Gareth Bale and Daniel James,” he said. “I think it will be a great match, in which we will not get anything for free. It will be the most important game of our lives.”
The Wales of eye-catcher Gareth Bale sees the first World Cup participation since 1958.
The Wales of eye-catcher Gareth Bale sees the first World Cup participation since 1958. Photo: AP
Bale: ‘We want to seize this opportunity’
Wales’ star Bale agreed that his team is going all out against Ukraine. “Everyone in the world sympathizes with Ukraine. Sport connects people. We understand what it will do to Ukraine if they go to the World Cup, but we also really want to go to the World Cup,” he said.
“It’s going to be a hugely important game, we can’t deny that. Wales have only played one World Cup. So this is an opportunity that we are all very eager to take to play on the highest podium. We are determined to win and our goal reach.”
The game between Wales and Ukraine starts on Sunday at 6 p.m. The Welshman will be the opponent of the Dutch national team in the Nations League on Wednesday, also in Cardiff.