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Dmitro Mikhaylenko: "It's pleasant that the substitutes proved to be effective"

Dmitro Mikhaylenko: "It's pleasant that the substitutes proved to be effective"

04 October 2025, 11:00

Head coach of the Ukraine U-20 national team, Dmitro Mykhaylenko, commented on his team's victory in the third match of the 2025 World Cup against Paraguay (2:1), which secured their place in the round of 16. "It's tough to play three days after two."

Dmitro Mikhaylenko: "It's pleasant that the substitutes proved to be effective"

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

Youth national team of Ukraine U-20 head coach Dmitro Mykhaylenko commented on his team's victory in the third match of the 2025 World Cup — against Paraguay (2:1), after which blue-and-yellow secured a place in the round of 16.

"It's tough to play three days apart. But we have boys who will step up and help at any moment. We noticed that some were tired, decided to make substitutions, and saw that things didn't get worse."

It's nice that the substitutes turned out to be effective. We are very pleased with the boys — Matvii Ponomarenko and Max Derkach, as they came onto the field motivated and eager to play. Fate rewarded them with goals.

I didn't calculate which team we could face in the knockout stage, I don't know. I just want to greet our fans. This victory is for all Ukrainians, for everyone who supports us. We are very pleased and happy. Moving forward," — quotes Dmitro Mykhaylenko, official broadcaster of the 2025 World Cup (U-20) "Sociálné Sport."