Sport Arena together with PFL name the hero of the next round in the First League. In the second game week and the starting round of the spring part of the First League season in the “Championship Group” it is Epicenter winger Ivan Bendera
Ivan Bendera, photo – instagram.com/vbendera_
The best player of the opening round of the spring part of the First League season in the Champions Group, Ivan Bendera, shared his impressions of Epicenter's victory in the home match against YUKSA – 4:3. We draw attention to the fact that Bendera scored twice in this match.
— How unexpected and pleasant is it for you to be recognized as the best player of the tour in the First League?
– It was a tough game for our team. It is important that we managed to play well in the second half and, as a result, won. I am happy that the experts noted me, but the team’s results always come first. I am overwhelmed with positive emotions, but there is still a lot of work to do. I am grateful to my teammates who helped me excel. I am happy that I helped the team get three points.
— Did the long break before the start of the spring part of the season have a negative or positive effect on you and the team as a whole?
— In my opinion, this long pause has had a negative impact on all teams. I think it is not normal not to play football for half a year, but we understand the situation in the country. Perhaps next year something will change and there will be no such pauses.
— What did you focus on more during the training camp? Maybe you can already note some positive changes in the game?
— Our team always tries to play from a position of strength, we strive to have as much possession of the ball as possible, to dominate the football field. Of course, we are still far from ideal, but I think that we play well and are gradually progressing.
— Probably, the key thing is that Epicenter kept its lineup in the winter? With such a well-coordinated lineup and personnel potential, does the team have every chance to move up a class?
– Our team has qualified footballers who could already play at a high level in the UPL. We can already move up a class this season. The main thing is to play our football in every match and not deviate from our philosophy.
— What did the coaching staff focus on before the game with YUKSA, which was significantly strengthened in the winter?
– We focus primarily on our game. Of course, the coaching staff carefully analyzes the opponents and notes their strengths and weaknesses. However, it is important for us to adhere to our own game philosophy. We understood that YUKSA plays well in defense. Selin, Lukyanchuk and Sinegub are very qualified central defenders. We also paid attention to the legionnaires.
– The reason for the early goal conceded was that we hadn’t yet gotten into the game or simply lost concentration?
– After such a pause, it was difficult for us to get into the rhythm of the game of the first official match. At the moment with the goal, we also lost concentration. Thus, everything together led to the opponent opening the score. It is important that everything ended with our victory.
— What was the reason for your team’s rather inconsistent play before the break?
– A number of factors influenced this, but we will analyze our own mistakes and do everything to prevent this from happening again. We will play better in the next matches.
– What changes were made during the break? First of all, did you add aggression?
– Personally, I understood that something had to be changed in my own game, because nothing worked in the first half of the match. In the second half, we added aggression, and came out with a greater desire to turn the tide of the match. This attitude helped us get three points.
– In the 50th minute, after a pass from Tanchik, you shot into the corner. A well-practiced combination?
– We always try to play with short passes. We are very good at combining in the final third of the field. After a great pass from Tanchik, I couldn't help but score.
– In the 88th minute you took the ball away from the opponent and scored your second goal in the match. Are you happy with such a performance in the match?
— A forward should score as many goals as possible and be useful to the team. Kravchuk missed this game, but there are no irreplaceable players at Epicenter. Everyone goes out on the field and tries to help the team win. I am happy that I managed to score twice, but there is no euphoria. In the moment with the other goal, I was a bit lucky, but luck must be earned.
– In this match you willingly dropped to your left flank. Is this position more comfortable for you to play in?
– I can play in any position up front. It all depends on the game situation. I started the game as a central striker, but after the goal I missed, there were some tactical changes.
— The end of the match was just crazy. Five goals in 20 minutes… Have you ever had to take part in such incredible shootouts before?
– Such shootouts only happen during training, but in games this has never happened before. It seemed like an EPL match. Fans can't help but like this kind of football.
– The victory allowed your team to remain in first place. To what extent does this leadership put pressure on you or, on the contrary, does it provide additional motivation?
– We understand that each team in the champions group strives to move up in class. This tournament position motivates us to show our best qualities in every match and win. Step by step we are moving towards the UPL. However, it is too early to look at the table
– What are the expectations from the away match with Poltava? It's never easy for anyone in Poltava.
– I am sure that it will be a tough game. Poltava is a qualified team that always imposes a fight on any opponent. We will try to play our football and strive to get three points.
Hero of the 1st round of the first stage of the First League. Illustration pfl.ua
BLITZ
- Born in Kamyanets-Podilskyi
- Pupil – BRV-VIK, Shakhtar
- First coach – Yaroslav Fedorenko
- Favorite club – I follow all teams where Ukrainians play
- Favorite players : Eduard Kozik, Oleg Fedor and Vladislav Vanat
- Goal in football? I try to move forward step by step, be disciplined and listen to the advice of coaches and loved ones.