Football: 'We won for Ukraine', Shakhtar celebrate Europa League victory
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Shakhtar's players celebrating after winning the Europa League play-off second-leg match against Rennes on Feb 23, 2023.
PHOTO: AFP
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RENNES – Shakhtar Donetsk qualified for the Europa League’s round of 16 on Thursday, with coach Igor Jovicevic hailing the win at French side Rennes as a “victory for Ukraine”.
The Ukrainian side defeated Rennes 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after their play-off had ended 3-3 on aggregate and then went to extra-time.
The win came just a day before the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
“It was very important. This match was for you, Ukraine, it was for our country, for Ukraine,” said Croatian national Jovicevic who has worked in Ukraine for more than 20 years.
“I can’t find the words at the moment, we were in the game until the end.
“You could almost say that we died on the pitch, that we left our arms and legs there. This victory is a reward for our work.”
Shakhtar goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin saved three times in the shoot-out to send his side through to the last-16 clash against Dutch side Feyenoord in March.
He kept out the spot kicks of Jeremy Doku, Birger Meling and Chimuanya Ugochukwu to seal the win for Shakhtar after they had led 2-1 from the first leg in neutral Poland.
Goals from Karl Toko Ekambi and a first in Rennes colours for Ibrahim Salah put the home side 3-2 up on aggregate two minutes from the end of extra time.
But, Shakhtar were level in the tie when 18-year-old centre-back Jeanuel Belocian sliced the ball into his own net.
Trubin then proved the hero as the young French team fluffed their shots in the shoot-out.
Shakhtar Donetsk’s supporters celebrating their team’s win after the Europa League play-off second leg match.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Shakhtar have not played games in their home city since 2014 and have to stage “home” league matches in Lviv.
Their European matches are played on neutral ground in Poland capital Warsaw, where the families of some of the players now live.
“Respect to my players, I’m proud of them,” added Jovicevic who also praised the “magnificent atmosphere” of Rennes’ Roazhon Park stadium.
“It’s my dream that my team can one day play in a home stadium full of fans.
“The next round now gives us the opportunity to see them again, they give us strength.
“Without European competition, we wouldn’t go to Warsaw. Personally speaking, if we had been eliminated tonight, I would not have seen my family until at least June.” AFP, REUTERS
