Main coach of Ukraine's under-17 futsal team Igor Moskovich talks about the details of his appointment, tasks in the new position, and upcoming training sessions.

Currently, a training session for Ukraine's under-17 futsal national team is taking place, which will run until November 27. It is Igor Moskovich's first as head coach of the blue and yellow team and serves as preparation for official matches.

The new mentor of Ukrainian boys commented on his appointment to the press service of the Futsal Association of Ukraine.

— Igor Evgenyevich, tell us how the option arose for you to work with the youth national team.

— The President of the Futsal Association of Ukraine, Sergiy Vladiko, called me and explained the situation in the team and why cooperation with the previous coach was terminated. We met and discussed certain issues. I agreed to lead the youth national team almost immediately because it is an interesting job that I enjoy. I can say that I have dreamed about this for my entire coaching career. Now we are starting active work with the team.

— What tasks do you set yourself in this position?

— Even during my playing career, I was invited to other countries, but I stayed because I wanted to help develop futsal in Ukraine. I will do everything within my power for that. I have already worked with representatives of the "Cardinal-Rivnestandart" team — it will be nice to see them again and help make a step forward, while with others — we will get acquainted and work together!

— Tell us about your coaching staff. Have there been any changes?

— No, there have been no changes. Alongside me, Oleksiy Sagaydachenko will work as an assistant and goalkeeper coach.

— You observed the matches of the Youth League (U-20) live. Tell us about your impressions from the tournament, since players called up for the NTZ also participated in it.

— I watched online for the first two days and then managed to come to Kyiv. Of course, watching futsal matches with my own eyes is a completely different thing. Right away, I was able to notice something for myself, but when I saw everything live — several more players caught my eye.

— The first training session has started for you as head coach of Ukraine's youth national team and for this squad in general. What tasks have been set for the coming week?

— First, we need to get acquainted with the boys. Most of them I don't know, so it is necessary to evaluate each one during the training process. Until now, I worked with senior teams. It will be interesting to compare the preparation of professional players and young ones. Soon another training session will take place. We hope to see many candidates for inclusion in Ukraine's youth national team.

— Among those invited to the training, three players from "Cardinal-Rivnestandart" who played at Euro-2022 and some foreign players are absent. Do you set a task to look at performers playing in Ukraine?

— Yes. We want to see exactly these boys. What Malyovanskyi, Skychyk, and Dyachenko can do, I know well. We will be looking at those who can help strengthen our team. During the Youth League matches, Denis Snitsarenko from SkyUp Futsal surprised me pleasantly. Yes, he scored many goals, but what caught my attention more was his play's correctness and decision-making. I haven't talked to the coach yet and don't know his school: is it football or futsal? However, on the court, he acted maximally like a futsaler. This really impressed me! As for foreign players, soon we will have another training session dedicated specifically to working with boys playing in overseas championships. Of course, the squad will be supplemented by other performers.

— What are the team's further plans?

— In December, our national team will participate in a tournament taking place in the Czech Republic.