Tomorrow, on June 5th, Ukraine will play the final qualifying match for the 2022 World Cup against Wales (kickoff at 19:00 local time in Kyiv). Ahead of this crucial game, defender Oleksandr Karavaev participated in a press conference alongside head coach Oleksandr Petrakov.

— How did your family in occupied Kherson follow the match against Scotland?

— They were unable to watch the game. As everyone knows, there is no connection and internet access is only available in certain places. We communicate via text messages or audio recordings early in the morning and late at night because we can't stay online all the time. But when they read the news, they were very happy and congratulated us. It happened to coincide with my birthday on June 2nd and my mother's on June 3rd. This was a nice opportunity for her to wish me well. Of course, everyone who stayed in my neighborhood where I was born and raised is watching and supporting us. Everyone sends greetings and expects only victories from us. They read the news if there is internet access and follow everything closely.

— Did you have an opportunity to recover and rest after the previous game?

— Yes, we have a very good medical staff. We have excellent masseurs and all the necessary equipment for recovery and relaxation. Everything that our medical team provides us with, we use.

— You mentioned your friends who are currently in occupation. What are they doing now?

— Of course, they don't have the same opportunities as before the occupation. They also do not have jobs. Everyone is hoping that our military will soon liberate our territories and they can return to an independent country. So everyone is in great anticipation. All those I've spoken with are very optimistic because they see how our troops are holding back those who came to our land, people who were not expected here. This gives a positive boost. Everyone believes it and sees how the world has rallied around us.

— Players from Wales said that they all sympathize with Ukraine but won't give us a victory tomorrow because this is sports, a game. Were you able to accumulate enough sporting anger for tomorrow's match?

— Of course, everyone knows our situation, but sport is sport. Even when there were thoughts that we would be given a ticket to the World Cup, all football players immediately said "no." Everything must be decided honestly on the football field according to sporting principles. That's why we earned a spot in the playoffs and first played against Scotland. We know what path we've taken and understand that tomorrow is our most important game at this moment. We have great desire and competitive fire. Everyone is waiting for it, eager for victory. What happens in our team will be on the field tomorrow. We are unique and will show what we're capable of.

— We all expected an emotionally charged game against Scotland, but it turned out to be calm and measured. What can you say about tomorrow's match?

— I wouldn't say that the game against Scotland was very calm. It took a lot of emotion, mostly positive, which is good. When you play in such a stadium with such strong support even from the opponent's side—it gives strength and confidence. Because over the past few years due to pandemic and other issues there have been very few full stadiums. So when you step out and feel that kind of support... That's why we play. It's great when so many people are watching us.

We also understand that tomorrow's support will be no less than it was in the last match. Of course, we're setting ourselves up to show a good game.

— After the match against Scotland, it seemed like you and Andriy Yarmolenko were playing an entire career on one flank together... Such great understanding between you...

— We've been playing on the same flank for many years. It's very comfortable for us, we understand each other with half a word because we communicate not only on the field but also off it. Many individual conversations about the game itself. That's why there is such understanding between us on the pitch.