The draw for the European Zone 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifying play-offs took place at the Home of FIFA in Zurich today. Ukraine team will contest their play-offs on 14 and 18 November against Greece.

Pienaar’s hand
The following pairings have been drawn by FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke and South Africa star Steven Pienaar: Republic of Ireland − France, Portugal − Bosnia-Herzegovina, Greece − Ukraine, Russia − Slovenia. The play-offs will be contested on a two-legged, home-and-away basis on 14 and 18 November.

President with restrained emotions
“Emotions? They are rather restrained”, FFU President Grigoriy Surkis admitted. “We have walked a difficult way, and now only two steps left to advance to South Africa next year. Along with millions of Ukrainian fans I hope our team will overcome Greece”.

Donetsk or Kharkiv
Yet national association has not fixed so far the venue to host home play-off. However, following Grigoriy Surkis the choice will drop on one of two cities: “Taking into consideration the capacity of stadiums, their standards, other important issues, we will play Greece either in Donetsk or in Kharkiv”.

Letter for Grygoriy Surkis
As a matter of fact the president of FFU has already received a letter from a mayor of Donetsk in which he informs that the city authority together with football club Shakhtar Donetsk and Donbas Arena stadium want and have an opportunity to hold the play-off match for WC-2010.

Let it be Greece
The coach of Ukraine national team also didn’t show any emotions as to the results of a draw, in spite of the fact that most of mass-media supposed Greece to be the most optimal opponent for Ukrainians in play-off before a draw. “There is no a big difference between the teams with which we could play. Let it be Greece. We will be preparing for the match against this team”.

Price of a mistake
Mykhailychenko supposes that it is a positive fact that the first match will be away one. But he also underlines the next thing: “Greeks has a strong team. If we want to get to the World Championship we have to show our best game. The fact that in play-off matches the price of a mistake is too high, so we have to be ready for these matches not only physically, but also psychologically”.