Antoni Mascaro: The team played amazingly well in the second half
Comments after the match of the 27th round of the National League U-19 2025\2026 "Kryvbas" U-19 - "Karpaty" U-19 - 3:1.
Antoni Mascaro, head coach of FC "Kryvbas" U-19:
- The beginning of the game seemed difficult for us. "Karpaty" started better. We struggled a little with the ball, often could not find the right solution. The opponent pressed better, but in a very good situation, thanks to the talents of Butenko and Maia, we got the opportunity for a sharp counterattack. As a result, we scored the first goal, then another after a free kick and a counterattack. The score was 2:0 in our favor.
So we started well in terms of the result, but, to be honest, we did not act very well in the first half. After that, we changed the game plan. In the locker room, the guys understood what was required of them in the second half. And they played just amazingly in the second half! I'm very, very happy. Key moments? This is the game in the penalty area. In the first half, we reached the opponent's penalty area less often than Karpaty, but at the same time we scored two goals, and they scored only one from the set piece.
You know, in football you can sometimes dominate in the middle of the field and on the approaches to the penalty area, but... I don't even know how to say it. You have to be tougher, you need more reliability and stability inside the penalty area. I think that in the first half we coped with this, and thanks to this we went to the break leading 2:1. And in the second half, the key thing was that we defended almost perfectly.
The character of the guys? I have only one word for this - amazing. Incredible guys. Now we train in a very small group, sometimes nine or ten players, because the other players are training with the first team. Yes, we are only glad about it, because they need them. But training in such conditions is really difficult. Despite this, the guys never give up and continue to work. It is fantastic. I can only say the warmest words about them.
Maksym Shpylka, forward of FC Kryvbas U-19:
- The match went in our favor. The team really did a good job. The opponent tried to fight back, they scored one goal, but we were much better at implementing it, which is why we won this match. The emotions are bright, as always, when you score a goal. These are emotions that are overwhelming. This is all that the team needs.
Matvii Bodnar, forward of FC Kryvbas U-19:
- I won’t say that the match seemed very difficult, because everyone gave one hundred percent, which was possible. All the guys are great, I congratulate everyone on the victory. My goal? I beat the goalkeeper, turned around and scored into the near corner. Honestly, I'm always happy to help the team. It doesn't matter where I play - it's important that I help: score, give, and the team wins. That's the most important thing.
Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih