Denys Matsebura: I treat the team's female players like my children, like a father

The head coach of Kryvyi Rih Kryvbas WU-15, Denys Matsebura, summed up the results of the first half of the year.

- Denys Oleksandrovych, what were the main goals you set for the team at the beginning of the season and to what extent did you manage to realize them?

- The most important goal of the team in the WU-15 Youth Football Club is to improve the girls' skills, constantly rejuvenate the squad, because we are the main base for our first team. Therefore, the main goal is to let the girls grow, achieve their dreams with the subsequent transition to the first team and win. But the most important thing is their technical, tactical and psychological growth and the right attitude towards football. That was the main goal.

- To what extent did you manage to realize it?

- There is always something to strive for and something to improve. Therefore, I believe that we have managed to do 60-70%, but we will continue to work.

- What results of the team do you consider the most indicative this year?

- Considering that we currently have a completely new team - new players, a new level - for a team that has just been formed, we are demonstrating a good game. But, again, we will draw conclusions after the first round and move towards improvement. Not bad, but we can do better.

- What was the biggest breakthrough or positive change in the team's game?

- If we take it as a whole, then, probably, the fact that the girls are starting to believe in themselves. They have become psychologically ready for the opponents, for the workload, for what I demand - to always play as the first number. And by the end of the first round, they finally began to understand this and believe in themselves the way I believe in them.

- Are there any players whose progress has particularly pleasantly surprised you?

- Over the years of working in women's football, I have realized that no one can be singled out, especially in interviews. In general, the whole team pleasantly surprised me: each of the players is trying to improve their level, to become better today than yesterday. Some are progressing faster, some slower, but for this six months everyone is doing well. The main thing is not to stop.

- What difficulties did you encounter while working with young athletes and how did you overcome them?

- There are many difficulties, as with young athletes in general. This is adolescence, many physiological characteristics. If we talk about football difficulties, then at this age girls often give up when problems arise on the way. They still lack the inner strength to say to themselves: "I can do it, this is experience, I will go further." These are probably the main difficulties that I help them cope with.

- What moment of the season can be called a turning point or the most emotional?

- The game with "Chornomorets" WU-15. The girls have experienced defeat, and I think they won't want to experience it again. And I will help them move on.

- What would you like to improve in your own coaching work?

- I am always learning and trying to discover something new for myself. I want to develop as a coach, have new challenges and new emotions.

- What is your secret to raising champions?

- It's probably better to ask them. I'm just who I am, and I don't see it as work. I treat them like my children, like a father. I just love them.

Press service of WFC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih