[sport] Andy Robertson admits Scotland 'didn't show up' in World Cup play-off defeat to Ukraine

[Wassim MH]

 

Scotland's World Cup hopes ended after 3-1 defeat by Ukraine in play-off semi-final at Hampden Park; Andy Robertson: "Our performances beforehand were really good but we didn't really show up"; Ukraine boss Oleksandr Petrakov dedicated team's win to people fighting in their country

Scotland captain Andy Robertson admits his side "didn't show up" as Ukraine ended their World Cup hopes at an emotionally-charged Hampden Park.

Worldwide attention was on the game due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February but, despite the distractions of that conflict, when the focus turned to football it was the visitors in Glasgow who were the more accomplished.

Scotland's 39-year-old 'keeper Craig Gordon kept the visitors at bay only until the 33rd minute when skipper Andriy Yarmolenko deservedly put Ukraine ahead and Roman Yaremchuk doubled that lead with a header three minutes after the break.

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Midfielder Callum McGregor pulled a goal back in the 79th minute as Steve Clarke's men rallied but it was too little too late and Ukraine substitute Artem Dovbyk drove in a breakaway third in added time to book a place against Wales in the play-off final in Cardiff on Sunday, when a place in Qatar will be up for grabs.

Robertson told Sky Sports: "It's hugely disappointing as we've waited a long time for this game. Our performances beforehand were really good but to be honest we didn't really show up.

"Ukraine settled into the game a lot quicker than us and it kind of just continued. We knew they were probably going to get tired and that was the case but we gave ourselves an uphill battle.

"We had to try and stay in the game but we didn't manage that. We left ourselves open to the counter-attack as we had to push for a goal. We didn't play the way we wanted to play and unfortunately, it's passed us by.

"After a really positive campaign, we've let ourselves down tonight. It's taken us 11 games to get here, after a positive campaign.

 

 

"Finishing second and getting a home play-off, it's going to hurt. We need to reflect on tonight and tomorrow's a new day. That's the World Cup gone for another four years and we all have dreams of trying to play in that big tournament and we didn't put in a performance to justify that tonight.

"But we have to stick together. We know there will be scrutiny coming our way and we know we'll be under fire as that's the way of it but we have to stick together as a group.

"We've taken massive strides and there will be a time to take perspective on that but tonight is not the night. All we can say is sorry to the fans in here and back home for disappointing them but we'll just have to dust ourselves down and go again."

Oleksandr Petrakov, the visitor's head coach, said all of his emotions were "left on the pitch" after his side's memorable win over Scotland, which he dedicated to "those who fight in the trenches" in Ukraine.

"I have no emotions to be honest with you," said Petrakov. "All of my emotions are left on the football pitch. This victory was not for me, it wasn't for the team members, it was for our country, so it was a huge win for Ukraine.

"We played for those who fight in the trenches, who fight with their last drop of blood. We also played for Ukrainians, for people back at home, who suffer every day."

Petrakov acknowledged his side still have one more step to take before they can fully celebrate, with the final against Wales now looming.

"We did a baby step towards our great aim but we still have a game against Wales in front of us," said the head coach. "We will do everything in Wales that people expect us to do and we will make Ukrainians proud to be Ukrainians, very much like our team and myself - we are extremely proud Ukrainians."

Petrakov added: "In this difficult time, I also want to extend our gratitude to the people of Scotland, to this incredible, amazing, hospitable place.

"I was walking early in the morning yesterday in the streets of Glasgow city centre and Scottish people were approaching me, wishing me well and all the best. Thank you Scotland, we will never forget that."

After their first defeat in nine games, Clarke's squad now has to regroup and somehow get ready for the Nations League opener against Armenia at Hampden Park next week.

The night had promised Scotland so much but Ukraine, backed by around 3,500 fans, deserved their victory having started with six players who had not played a competitive game in 2022.

Oleksandr Zinchenko was man of the match and the Manchester City full-back told Sky Sports: "Everyone knows the situation in Ukraine and every game is like a final. We have a dream as a team to be at the World Cup.

 

 

"We have one more game, one more final and we need to win it. Otherwise, this game won't mean anything.

"Scotland is a great team and have unbelievable players in each line. But we did well. We scored three and could have scored more.

"The Wales game is going to be massive for us. We need to show our best performance in our lives and then we'll see what happens."

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