Viktor Skrypnyk: They say a penalty is a lottery, though it is simply an integral part of football

Viktor Skrypnyk, head coach of Zorya Luhansk, commented on the Ukrainian Cup Round of 16 home match against Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih - which ended 1:1 (2:3 on penalties) - during a broadcast on UPL TV.

- How would you assess the team's performance today?

- It was a match where both we and our opponents had scoring chances. The first half was of better quality in terms of play, but we conceded some avoidable goals. We also had good opportunities in the second half, particularly from set-pieces, though we didn't manage to convert them all. Naturally, one always hopes to see a higher standard of play.

- Does it make sense to specifically practice penalty shootouts before matches like this, given the format? Did you place any emphasis on this during your preparations?

- It always makes sense. But it’s one of those things: sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. People often call a penalty shootout a "lottery," though in reality, it is simply an integral part of football.

- The team is currently going through a rough patch in terms of results, and now you’ve been eliminated from the Cup as well. How painful a blow is this? Or is the Cup a separate chapter - something to put behind you quickly and move on from?

- The Cup is indeed a separate chapter, but there is nothing positive about a run of results like this. We need to win. I hope the lads draw the right conclusions, channel their competitive fire, and deliver much better results moving forward than we saw today.

Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih