A masterclass from Kyiv

“It’s simply a matter of conserving energy,” explains Aleksandr Ischenko,senior coach with the squad. “It is hard to play in this weather. Back in Ukraine,it was around 10-12 degrees. In Delhi it is around 35 degrees. We are unused to these conditions and we don’t want to lose all our energy at an early stage in the competition itself. So we tend to slow down after opening up a reasonable lead. But at the same time,we are trying not to let the guys get overconfident,” says Ischenko.

And despite the nature of his side’s victory Ischenko,59,refuses to be dismissive of the local talent. “It’s too early to comment on the standard of Indian football. We are still in the group phase so perhaps our opposition isn’t of the highest standard. We are expecting the competition to get tougher as we progress.”

Indeed says Ischenko – who has coached the Ukrainian U-21 side to the finals of the U-21 European Championships in 2006 – the competition isn’t all that bad. “As someone who hasn’t seen Indian football until now,I can says that at least in this age-group,Indian teams are also quite good on the field. But you can’t win matches by simply being good on the field. You need to score. Where I am seeing the Indian guys struggle is in that final stage. It is problematic for them. Our boys on the other hand finish well. When we get a half chance,we are able to score and that makes the difference,” he says.

That instinct is something that is ingrained by the club even at the academy level in each of his players. “ When you translate dynamo,it means motion. Our players are always keen to score,” Ischenko says. That willingness to score doesn’t just come through skill. Even though most of his squad is young enough to qualify for a U-16 tournament,they appear stronger than their older opponents. When they arrived in the capital,five days ago,they went through a rigorous and methodical training session while most of their compatriots opted to rest. “We select only the physically fittest players. That is our culture,” says Ischenko.

Beyond the game,however it is India’s culture that Ischenko has special affinity for. “This trip is special for me. I have literally grown up on Indian films,and so far I have only had positive impressions of the country,” says Ischenko who has made a quick getaway to the Taj Mahal during his trip. However their hasn’t been any such luck for the squad. “Of course it is a big thing to come to India but Dynamo Kyiv are not here just to see the country. They are here to win,” he says.