Manchester City and Ukraine star player Oleksandr Zinchenko says “it’s not necessary to talk about motivation” for Ukraine as they bid to make their war-torn homeland proud in Wednesday’s World Cup play-off with Scotland. The Manchester City left-back is key to Ukraine’s hopes at Hampden. Ukraine will be playing its first competitive match since the country’s invasion by Russia and Zinchenko is “shaking inside” at the prospect.
Oleksandr Zinchenko speaks of Scottish Fans
The left-back said: “Ukraine is still alive.” “Ukraine is going to fight until the end. This is our mentality. We never give up.” “I’m so grateful and so thankful for all the support around the world. Scotland is such a good team. They have unbelievable fans.” “I can promise all the Ukrainian people that every one of us is going to give everything to win the game and to make them proud of us and just maybe for a few seconds we would like to give them this smile.”
The war which lasted for over three months has got the whole of Ukrainian players and people trembling. Zinchenko said: “The first period when it just started, it was so complicated to be focused on football.” “All my thoughts were with Ukraine, Ukrainian people. I would say for everyone, for every Ukrainian footballer, it was the same.”
The player said the game is one of the most important games in his life. He also said the player looks ready and it’s not necessary to talk about motivation. There are no excuses and they have to do their job as best as they can to book the World Cup ticket.
