Following the friendly match within the Canadian Shield tournament against New Zealand, which ended in a victory (2:1), head coach of Ukraine's national team Serhiy Rebrov held a press conference:

— Confidence in defense was very important for us today. I believe that we played much better than in the first match. However, as I said earlier, I don't think we played poorly on attack in the first game. We created opportunities but unfortunately didn't convert them. Today we converted more. There were 17 shots in total. I think it's quite a lot to score two or more goals.

At this training camp, we looked at new players who were called up. I am very pleased with the performance of those players who played in the first match. We welcomed them and hope that they will continue to show such stable play.

— Mr. Serhiy, what did this tournament give you, and how can it help you in autumn qualification matches?

— Any friendly game helps. When the national team doesn't gather for over three months, it's very difficult because the demands at clubs are completely different from those of the national team. It would be much better if we gathered more often, but that's how the calendar is now. And I am pleased that we have such games.

Many people ask why did you go there? We didn't have many teams offering to play against us. We are very grateful to Canada for proposing this tournament. I consider it very beneficial for us and a very important check before qualification matches for the World Cup.

— Unlike after the first match, today you're smiling. Then you said that you were not satisfied with your players' attitude to the game. What actually changed? What did you do differently that made the players more committed today?

— After the first game against Canada, I cannot say that I was dissatisfied with my players. I was dissatisfied with those decisive mistakes we made. I look at statistics. Most of the very important components we won against Canada, but lost the match – conceded four goals. That's why I was so upset. But I think the players tried their best. Just the decisive mistakes we committed changed the game.

In today's match with New Zealand it was important for us to focus on defensive actions. It was important to keep our own goal unscathed. Unfortunately, we conceded one goal, but in my opinion, we played focused defensively, which is important, and created many opportunities to win the game.

— How can you generally summarize this tournament – positively or negatively? And if possible, say a few words to the Ukrainian community in Canada.  

— It was very pleasant for us to play in Canada. Even when we went for a walk today, many Ukrainians greeted us. That's very nice. And those spectators who came to the stadium supported us during the game against Canada as well – we are very grateful.

I already said that these matches are very beneficial for us. We haven't gathered in three months, but here are special games because we felt the support of the Ukrainian community.

— First, how difficult is it for Ukraine's national team to play without one of its best stars – Mudryk? Second, can you repeat the success of 2006 when Ukraine participated in the World Cup in Germany and you were a player?

— Mudryk is indeed an extremely important player, he's a vital part of our team. We miss this player, who really helps us a lot. Unfortunately, we can't use him now, but we hope that he will return to the national team and, of course, to his club. We all support him.

Regarding 2006, it's a different time, different teams for me. I cannot compare myself as back then I was a player and now I'm a coach. I can assure you that all the boys come to the team with great desire and give their best. Even after the end of the season when we had to fly across the Atlantic, everyone understands how important such matches are, it's important to play for Ukraine. It's also important for Ukrainian diaspora that the national team of Ukraine has arrived in Canada for the first time.

— Illia Zabarnyi played the maximum number of minutes at this tournament. He scored a goal in the first match and today came out with the captain's armband. How do you evaluate his season and development? There are rumors that he might move to PSG...

— What I said about Mudryk, I can say about Zabarnyi as well. He is a true professional who deserves to play every match. Before the game against New Zealand, I asked him how he felt. He replied that he's fully ready and wants to play. This is a professional and very decent person. I often talk with him – he really cares about Ukraine and wants to help in every match, plays at maximum capacity. And today, as well as against Canada, he was one of the best.