Yuriy Moroz: "Our players have gained a huge lesson on how to prepare for representing Ukraine team"

28.06.2024 12:00

Head coach of the Ukraine U-16 youth team, Yuriy Moroz, summarized the team's performance at an international tournament in Japan.

The Ukrainian youth team, preparing for the qualifying round of EURO 2025 (U-17), held a training camp during which they participated in the Dream Cup 2024 international tournament in Japan. Upon returning to Ukraine, coach Yuriy Moroz reflected on the training camp.

— The players we took to the tournament must meet the national team’s level, — said Mr. Moroz. — Yes, the boys tried hard, but something was missing. Perhaps acclimatization played a role, but the fact remains: the team lost most of the duels, and I did not see football aggression in the boys.

However, there are also positive aspects. Many players left a favorable impression. I hope that if these players continue to progress, they will be called up to the national team.

As for the level of the opponents, I liked everything. The teams came from different continents, each with their football vision. Our players, who were with the national team for the first time, saw a level of play where everything was much faster than in domestic competitions, and the demands were much higher. I am confident that after this training camp, many of our boys' attitudes towards the training process and football professionalism will change. Many of our players have learned a huge lesson in how to prepare for representing Ukraine's team.

Now, as a coach, I need to search even more carefully for players. I won't say that this age group is weak, but potential is needed. There is not much time left until the start of the qualifying round. We still have one more training camp, and during it, the coaching staff must determine the core of the team for official matches. Let this be a signal for many players...

Dream Cup 2024 U-16 Tournament

19.06.2024

Senegal — Venezuela — 1:2

Japan — Ukraine — 6:0

21.06.2024

Ukraine — Senegal — 0:1

Japan — Venezuela — 4:0

23.06.2024

Venezuela — Ukraine — 4:1

Japan — Senegal — 3:2

Standings

On May 3rd, the draw for the first qualifying round of Euro 2025 (U-17) took place in Nyon. As a result, the Ukrainian youth team (currently U-16, players born in 2008), led by Yuriy Moroz, found itself in Group 4 along with Belgium, Kosovo, and Kazakhstan. The mini-tournament in our group will take place in Belgium, with matches scheduled for October 9th, 12th, and 15th.

Results of the EURO 2025 (U-17) Qualifying Round Draw

Group 1: England, Sweden, Latvia, Malta.

Group 2: Poland, Slovenia, Georgia, Armenia.

Group 3: Netherlands, Croatia, Albania, Faroe Islands.

Group 4: Belgium, Ukraine, Kosovo, Kazakhstan.

Group 5: Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Liechtenstein.

Group 6: Hungary, Greece, Romania, Azerbaijan.

Group 7: Germany, Czechia, Belarus, Andorra.

Group 8: Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Lithuania.

Group 9: Italy, Norway, Wales, San Marino.

Group 10: Switzerland, Israel, Montenegro, Moldova.

Group 11: France, Slovakia, Cyprus, Gibraltar.

Group 12: Spain, Iceland, North Macedonia, Estonia.

Group 13: Serbia, Turkey, Bulgaria.

Group 14: Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg.

The top two teams from each group advance to the second round of qualifying. After that, 28 participants will compete in seven League A groups in the spring of 2025 for seven spots in the final tournament, which will take place in Albania in the summer. The host team received an automatic berth, although it will participate in qualifying.

The remaining teams in the second round will compete in League B for places in League A of the first qualifying stage of Euro 2027 (U-19).

It's worth noting that Euro 2025 (U-17) will serve as UEFA's qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which will feature 48 teams in Qatar.

In April, the Ukrainian U-16 national team won the UEFA Development Tournament in Estonia.