The head coach of the Ukrainian national futsal team, Oleksandr Kosenko, commented on the victory over Serbia (6:1) in the elite round of the 2024 World Cup qualification. The words of the coach are provided by the press service of the Ukrainian Futsal Association.

— The Ukrainian national team played against all opponents in the group. They lost to Poland and won against Belgium and Serbia. Can you tell which opponent will be the most challenging in the next three matches?

— It won't be easy with any of them, as all teams understand that every subsequent match is like a playoff or knockout game. Each match will become more difficult, so we need to prepare accordingly. Right now, it depends on us, and we must hold onto this opportunity. We have to keep pushing.

— In all matches where Ukraine won in the group stage, your players scored a quick goal. Is that your strategy — pressing from the first seconds?

— Every team wants to score an early goal so they can play with the lead. When you have a goal or two in hand, it's easier to play. My approach is to start playing right from the first minutes. And if we manage to score quickly, that's the work of the boys. Each effort is rewarded with such games. So thank you to the boys, and we need to prepare further so our efforts are not wasted.

— We played all matches practically away from home. From the first seconds in this arena, there was probably the most tense atmosphere, whistling. What went through your mind when you heard it?

— We knew it would be like that. We understood where we were playing, and for us, this was an additional motivation to win. I won't say unnecessary words, everyone understands what I mean. So this is no ordinary challenge, but everything will be decided at the end. But in order for everything to be decided at the end, we need to go from match to match trying to play well, and the results will come.

2024 World Cup. European Qualification. Elite Round

Group B

15.09.2023

Belgium — Ukraine — 2:10

Poland — Serbia — 1:2

20.09.2023

Ukraine — Poland — 2:3

Serbia — Belgium — 3:3

06.10.2023

Serbia — Ukraine — 1:6

Poland — Belgium — 7:2

Tournament table

11.10.2023

Ukraine — Serbia

Belgium — Poland

15.12.2023

Ukraine — Belgium

Serbia — Poland

20.12.2023

Belgium — Serbia

Poland — Ukraine

Futsal World Cup 2024. Elite Round Qualification in UEFA Zone

Group A: Kazakhstan, Romania, Azerbaijan, Netherlands.

Group B: Ukraine, Poland, Serbia, Belgium.

Group C: Croatia, Slovakia, France, Germany.

Group D: Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Czech Republic.

Group E: Portugal, Georgia, Armenia, Finland.

Futsal World Cup 2024. European Qualification

Elite Round

Matches: 11—20 September, 2—11 October, 11—20 December 2023.

Twenty national teams are divided into five groups of four teams each. Matches take place home and away. The top five group winners will qualify for the Futsal World Cup 2024. Four best second-placed teams will proceed to the elite round playoff.

Elite Round Playoff

Drawing: 25 January 2024.

Matches: 8—17 April 2024.

Four teams will be divided into two pairs, and matches will take place home and away. The winners of the pairs will qualify for the Futsal World Cup 2024.

The World Cup will take place in Uzbekistan from September 14 to October 6, 2024.