On Wednesday, May 18, Ukraine's FIFA eFootball national team started the main round of qualification for the FIFAe Nations Cup 2022.

The Ukrainian team consisting of Andriy CIG_ST92 Shakalov, Yaroslav ECF_BlackStar98 Gurmaka and Oleksiy ForlanFS Mercer played group stage matches in the "2 on 2" mode of FIFA 22 on PlayStation 5 against teams from Austria, Serbia, Portugal, Ireland, Spain, Finland, and Switzerland.

The debut could have been successful for Ukrainian eFootball players if they hadn't conceded a late goal to Ireland. The blue-and-yellow team was leading the score throughout the match — 1:2.

In the second match, Austria heavily outplayed Ukraine and scored three goals in the first half, effectively deciding the outcome of the game. Our players managed to break the unpleasant score but ran out of steam — 1:3.

If conceding late goals was a tragedy for Ukraine's eFootball team, then against Serbia they managed to break the system and snatch a draw with the final whistle, earning their first point in qualification — 1:1.

Perhaps, the most disappointing game for Ukraine was against Finland, as they dominated throughout much of the match but failed to capitalize on their opportunities. Two defensive errors buried Ukrainian hopes of taking the first three points — 1:2.

Ukraine managed to score a quick goal against Portugal and somewhat surprised the group leaders. However, the Portuguese regained control and scored two goals to secure victory — 1:2.

The most emotional match of the day for Ukraine was against Switzerland. The opponents sent three quick goals into the blue-and-yellow net, but our Cossacks did not give up and managed to turn this crazy deficit around — 3:3!

Like Portugal, Spain are among the favorites in the group, needing just one goal to secure victory against Ukraine — 0:1.

Thus, on the first day of play, Ukraine's FIFA team failed to win any matches and earned two qualifying points in seven games. Currently, blue-and-yellow occupy eighth place in Group A of the main round qualification for the FIFAe Nations Cup 2022.

On Friday, Ukraine's team awaits return matches in the main round qualifier for the eFootball World Championship.

Schedule of Matches for Ukraine

Second Day of Play

20.05.2022

18.00. Ukraine — Ireland

18.30. Austria — Ukraine

19.00. Serbia — Ukraine

19.30. Finland — Ukraine

20.10. Ukraine — Portugal

20.40. Switzerland — Ukraine

21.10. Ukraine — Spain

Match start times are in Kyiv time.

To qualify for the FIFAe Nations Cup 2022 playoff round, Ukraine's team needs to finish among the top six in a group of eight teams.

Watch all matches of Ukraine's national team in the FIFAe Nations Cup 2022 qualification live on YouTube channel of the Ukrainian Football Association!