Yuriy Moroz: "Club coaches play a major role in the current success of Ukraine's team"

17.10.2024 10:00

Head coach of Ukraine’s U-17 team, Yuriy Moroz, summed up the team’s performance in Round 1 of EURO-2025 (U-17).

Ukraine’s U-17 team (players born in 2008 or later) has completed Round 1 of EURO-2025 (U-17). The Blue and Yellows secured second place in their group, allowing them to advance to the second stage of qualification, which will take place next spring. Upon returning from Belgium, where the matches were held, head coach Yuriy Moroz shared his thoughts with the UAF official website.

— Mr. Moroz, the goal of advancing to the next round of the Euros has been achieved. But is it disappointing to have missed out on first place?

— Absolutely. I was pleasantly surprised by the team’s attitude in the match against Belgium, even though we had already achieved our primary goal. Yes, a draw would have suited us, but if the boys had been slightly sharper in their attacks and counter-attacks, the result could have been very different. Both teams’ goalkeepers played well. In my opinion, a draw would have been the fairest outcome.

— What impressed you most about your team’s performance throughout the tournament?

— First and foremost, their character. Let me explain why: after going down 0:2 early in the match against Kosovo, the boys showed their best qualities, not only turning the game around but also displaying solid football.

I can’t help but mention their character again in the game against Kazakhstan. It was a tough match. The opponent defended well, launched dangerous counter-attacks, and created many problems for us. But patience and determination helped Ukraine achieve the best possible result. However, we fell just short against Belgium. Nevertheless, our team deserves high praise. The boys did a great job. Here, I’d like to extend my gratitude to the club coaches who prepare these players for the national team. At the national team level, we aim to maximize what the players have learned in their clubs.

— You mentioned the game against Kosovo. The first match of the tournament, 12 minutes in, and we’re down 0:2. Were you shocked?

— What do you think? (smiles) We practically gave them those two goals ourselves. This was one of those situations where the players realized that giving up wasn’t an option. Nowadays, all teams are relatively equal. Some have better luck, others have a stronger bench or more talented players, and sometimes that’s what determines the result.

Everyone is trying to play good football, but if your defense isn’t solid, it’s much harder to get results. In the game against Kosovo, we had possession, but we just needed to execute properly in front of the goal. And Ukraine did just that, which gave us confidence for the rest of the tournament.

Photo by UAF press service

— Most of Ukraine’s goals came in the second half. What does that say?

— It speaks to our excellent physical condition. Again, credit goes to the club coaches for that. Our job is to unite the team, provide structure and direction, and motivate the group.

— Coaches always have critiques for their players. What areas still need improvement?

— There’s always room for improvement. We have some very talented players, but after the final qualifying match, I told them that if they want to achieve great things in football, they can never rest on their laurels. You have to give your all every day, both at your club and for the national team.

— The draw for Round 2 will take place in December, but it’s still unclear which pot Ukraine will be in. How important is that for youth football?

— Psychology plays a huge role here. Facing strong opponents in Round 1 and not conceding too many goals is a good sign. In youth football, there are many factors at play. Everything has to come together at the right place and time. Honestly, I had high expectations from Belgium. Yes, they’re a solid team, but they can be matched and even beaten. We respect our opponents, but we also stay true to ourselves.

— How will the team prepare for the next stage of the competition, which will be held in the spring?

— I don’t want to jump ahead, but I can say that in November, during UEFA match dates, we plan to play two friendlies against Croatia. After that, we’ll discuss plans for next year.

Photo by UAF press service

Ukraine U-17 Squad

Goalkeepers: Rostyslav Bahlay (Shakhtar Donetsk), Kyrylo Khadasevych (Wolfsburg, Germany), Yehor Krapivin (Espanyol, Spain).

Defenders: Nikita Kalyuzhnyi, Yaroslav Mylokost, Yehor Onishchuk (all from Shakhtar Donetsk), Arsen Zalypka, Dmytro Solomon (both from Rukh Lviv), Nikita Malnyk (Imolese, Italy), Oleksandr Tkachenko (Werder Bremen, Germany), Nazar Khlivnyuk (Fortuna Düsseldorf, Germany).

Midfielders: Pavlo Lyusin, Ivan Andreyko (both from Dynamo Kyiv), Artem Zubriy (Shakhtar Donetsk), Mukhammad Dzhurabaiev, Danylo Slyva (both from Rukh Lviv), Illia Kutia (Hajduk, Croatia), Mykola Petrovskyi (Stuttgart, Germany), Arseniy Shyshkevych (Rio Ave, Portugal).

Forwards: Dmytro Zudin (Hajduk, Croatia), Illia Menshykov (Austria Wien, Austria).

EURO 2025 (U-17). Round 1. Group 4

October 9, 2024

Kosovo — Ukraine — 2:4

Belgium — Kazakhstan — 3:1

October 12, 2024

Ukraine — Kazakhstan — 3:0

Belgium — Kosovo — 2:1

October 15, 2024

Ukraine - Belgium - 1:2

Kazakhstan - Kosovo - 4:4

Standings

The top two teams from each group advance to the second round of qualifiers. Following this, 28 teams will compete in seven groups in League A in spring 2025 for seven spots in the final tournament, to be held in Albania in the summer. The host team automatically qualifies, although they will still participate in the qualifiers.

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

It's worth noting that EURO 2024/2025 (U-17) serves as UEFA's qualifying tournament for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, featuring 48 teams in Qatar.