Tonight’s Ukrainian national team will remember their 44 million Ukrainian compatriots back at home as they walk out of Hampden Park under the lights. Many were under Russian bombardment.
Taras Stepanenko (midfielder), who lost his village of Velyka Noselytsia, said that soldiers often write to their national teams asking for one thing: to be eligible for the World Cup.
They will meet with Wales if they beat Scotland in the playoff qualifier in Glasgow tonight to be eligible for the World Cup in Qatar.
Scotland has not sent a team in the world’s most prestigious tournament for football in over 20 years. However, a rollercoaster campaign is now putting them only two wins away of their first appearance since 1998.
Despite being on opposing sides of the ball and their hopes of World Cup qualification at stake, Scottish fans will unify this evening to sing the national anthem of Ukraine in a show for unity.
“We will make our people proud and happy”
Oleksandr Zinchenko, Manchester City’s star, was tearful during the pre-match press conference. He said that the dream of all Ukrainians is just an end to war.
We have our own dreams when it comes to football and the team. He stated that we want to travel to the World Cup and give the Ukrainians these amazing emotions because they are so deserving.”
“I’m sure the whole of Ukraine is watching us. We will feel her support. Although we can talk a lot about the subject, we must prove it on the ground.
“We will make our people proud and happy.”
It is extremely difficult. “The boys think about their families at home,” Oleksandr Petrakov, Ukraine’s head coach, said Tuesday before the match.
I had to laugh, tell them we have our war on the football field. They were good. They listened and prepared. So we approach the game with a fighting spirit.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke said that he was desperate to lead his team to the World Cup finals at Qatar. However, he acknowledged the “incredible” situation the visitors are in.
When asked about the comments of Graeme Souness, former Scotland captain, that he wanted Ukraine win, and then win the World Cup, he replied: “I can’t put myself in anyone else’s mind, everybody has their own opinion on the matter.”
Ukrainian players represent 44 million compatriots
Stepan Luczka (third generation Ukrainian) is the head of the UK Ukrainian Sports Supporters Club. He said that his national team displays the “defiance” of the Ukrainian people.
“The 11 Ukrainian players will play for 44 million Ukrainians.
“I believe it will be so much more in the circumstances we are in for Ukraine’s victory.”
When asked about the people who were watching the match in Ukraine, perhaps soldiers on the frontline, he replied: “If there’s a bit of positivity, or joy, that they can get from life at the moment, by all means, watch the match as far as Hampden Park is away.”
Visitors’ National Anthem to be Sung by Fanatics
Duolingo, a language learning app, has made a phonetic version to the lyrics of Ukraine’s national song to allow fans to sing along.
Colin Watkins, spokesperson for Duolingo, stated that football unites people with the World Cup being the pinnacle. But, we all know that this match is even more important and the eyes will be on the rest of the world.
“We need all Scotland fans and football fans to sing together and show the world that they are united with Ukraine via language.
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