Oleksandr Kosenko: "Our main task was to score nine points, which we did"

In the CH-2024 qualifiers for futsal, blue-and-yellow Ukraine beat Kosovo in Pristina (5:2).

Oleksandr Kosenko: "Our main task was to score nine points, which we did"

Press service photo of AFC

In the CH-2024 qualifiers for futsal, blue-and-yellow Ukraine beat Kosovo in Pristina (5:2). The head coach of the Ukrainian national team, Oleksandr Kosenko, commented on this result and summed up his team's autumn performances for the UAFA website.

— How would you comment on the game in Kosovo? Are everyone satisfied?

— Overall, I am satisfied because we played away against an opponent who had lost their previous two qualifiers matches, so they had nowhere to go. In Kosovo over three years a decent team has formed. We knew it would be tough but I believe we played well.

— How do you evaluate the autumn matches of the CH-2024 qualifiers in general?

— We have taken nine points. Yes, we haven't secured our place from the group yet but we have a good foundation. Our main task was to get nine points and we did it. For most of the matches we dominated.

— Can you highlight anyone from your players based on the match results?

— I don't want to single out anyone specifically. Some played better, some worse but overall it was a team effort that brought us the result.

— What do you think about the recent successes of Ukraine's youth national team? Do you plan on calling up anyone to the senior squad like Rostyslav Semenchuk?

— We are keeping an eye on everyone and don't want anyone to be overlooked. But we need to understand that in the national squad players have to show mature futsal. Of course, for the future we consider players who may participate in friendly matches. However, in official games players should become leaders of their teams. We keep track of everyone but it all depends on the players themselves.

— Regarding friendlies — do you plan to have a training camp before the match against the Netherlands on March 8?

— Yes, we are planning it but there are no final arrangements yet so we need to wait for official information. We already have some ideas. It will be difficult to hold a training camp in December due to the calendar and rescheduling of matches because of the war, so we will gather next year.

CH-2024 European Qualifiers. Group Stage. Group 11

September 18, 2022

Netherlands — Kosovo — 2:1

October 7, 2022

Ukraine — Kosovo — 3:1

October 11, 2022

Ukraine — Netherlands — 4:2

November 9, 2022

Kosovo — Ukraine — 2:5

Standing Table

 

R

W

D

L

M

Pts

1. Ukraine

3

3

0

0

12—5

9

2. Netherlands

2

1

0

1

4—5

3

3. Kosovo

3

0

0

3

4—10

0

March 3, 2023

Kosovo — Netherlands

March 8, 2023

Netherlands — Ukraine

In the main round, 36 national teams are divided into 12 groups of three teams where matches take place home and away. The 12 group winners and four best second-placed teams advance to the elite round. Other eight second-placed teams will participate in the playoff stage of the main round.

CH-2024 European Qualifiers. Main Round

Group 1: Spain, Moldova, Cyprus.

Group 2: Georgia, Belgium, Austria.

Group 3: Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Armenia.

Group 4: Portugal, Belarus, Lithuania.

Group 5: Kazakhstan, Slovenia, Montenegro.

Group 6: Azerbaijan, Poland, Greece.

Group 7: Croatia, Hungary, Israel.

Group 8: Finland, Romania, Denmark.

Group 9: Serbia, France, Norway.

Group 10: Italy, North Macedonia, Sweden.

Group 11: Ukraine, Netherlands, Kosovo.

Group 12: Slovakia, Latvia, Germany.

Format

Qualification takes place in five stages: preliminary round (mini-tournaments), main round (groups with home and away matches), playoff stage of the main round (home and away matches), elite round (groups with home and away matches) and playoff stage of the elite round (home and away matches).

Main Round Playoff

Drawing: March 10, 2023.

Matches: April 10—19, 2023.

Eight teams will be divided into four pairs and matches will take place home and away. The winners advance to the elite round.

Elite Round

Drawing: July 5, 2023.

Matches: will be completed by December 20, 2023.

Twenty national teams will be divided into five groups of four teams where matches take place home and away. Five group winners advance to the CH-2024. Four best second-placed teams advance to the playoff stage of the elite round. If the European association is selected for hosting the final tournament, only two best second-placed teams will advance to the playoff stage of the elite round.

Elite Round Playoff

Drawing: January 25, 2024.

Matches: April 8—17, 2024.

Four teams will be divided into two pairs (if only two teams participate in the playoff stage, a draw will determine match order), matches take place home and away. The winners advance to CH-2024.