Oleksandr Kemkin: Analyzed how different players take penalties, together with the goalkeeping coach

Oleksandr Kemkin, goalkeeper for Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih, discusses the Ukrainian Cup Round of 16 away match against Zorya Luhansk (1:1, 3:2 on penalties).

- Were you nervous before the penalty shootout, and what were you feeling at that moment?

- I’d be lying if I said I felt nothing. There was a bit of nervousness, but it vanished the moment I saved the first shot. I gained absolute confidence - both in the team and in myself - and I knew we would win the match.

- Did you prepare in advance for a potential penalty shootout and the opponents' shooting tendencies?

- Yes, I anticipated that the game might go to penalties. It’s a cup match; teams often play to a draw here out of fear of making a mistake. Naturally, the goalkeeping coach and I analyzed our opponents in detail. I knew where each player usually shoots, but I also realized that in a shootout, they might change their usual spots, knowing that we had studied them. That’s exactly what happened - Budkivskyi, for instance, changed his direction. But the most important thing is that the team ultimately won.

- What did the head coach say, and what was the atmosphere like in the dressing room after the match?

- Vasyliovych said a lot of the right things. He is an incredibly sincere person. We really felt that powerful emotion: to go out there and fight for the badge, for the club, for our fans, and for the guys who are supporting us from the front lines. And after the final whistle, he said: "Let's win the Cup!"

- How difficult was it for the team to withstand the pressure toward the end of the match?

- In the final minutes, it was evident just how physically demanding it was for the guys. But I am convinced that they felt and heard the support of our fans. That is precisely what gave them the strength and motivation to keep fighting and hold on until the very last second.

Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih