National women's team of Ukraine begins a new chapter. New head coach Iya Andrushak shared her views on the style of play, development of female players, and tasks for the nearest future in an interview womensfootball.com.ua.

— Ms. Iya, congratulations on your appointment. What were your first emotions when you found out that you would be leading the Ukrainian women's national team?

— It was a feeling of great responsibility and pride. Leading a national team is not just another career step, it’s a huge challenge in many aspects. There was some anxiety, but it quickly turned into a working mood as there was little time until the first training camp.

— Was this appointment expected by you and what made you decide to accept it?

— It wasn’t a big surprise, but I wouldn’t say that I was expecting it. The deciding factor was the internal feeling that we need to move forward. Also important were the trust from management and the shared vision of team development and women’s football in general.

— What does working with a national team mean to you on an emotional and professional level?

— Emotionally, it is a special motivation and responsibility towards the country, players, and supporters. Professionally, it’s the highest level where every decision matters, there are no small details, and preparation time is limited, so we need to build systematics, clarity, and efficiency.

— Will your club experience with Vorskla help you in the national team setting?

— Undoubtedly. Working at a club gave me experience of long-term planning, player development, and building a game with our identity. In the national team, other conditions apply, but the principles of work – discipline, game structure, communication – will remain the same.

— What type of Ukrainian women's national team do you want to build — in terms of character, playing style, mentality?

— I want to see a team with a strong character, tactically disciplined and mentally resilient. A team that is not afraid to play against strong opponents, respects them but believes in itself. In terms of style — organized, intense football with clear understanding of roles on the field.

— What will you focus on first during your work with the team?

— There is no time for warm-up. The first months of work are already half of the selection cycle, so it’s important to clearly convey requirements, principles of play and expectations. A great emphasis will also be on the physical readiness of girls, game discipline, and mental resilience.

— Do you plan any changes in the squad, bringing in new players or refreshing the team?

— The doors to the national team are always open for performers who demonstrate a stable game and readiness to work for the team. There may be point changes and review of candidates, but this will be an evolutionary process, not a sudden restructuring.

— Soon Ukraine starts in the qualifiers for the World Cup against England, Spain, and Iceland. What is your first impression of this group?

— It’s a very strong group with national teams at world level. But it’s also a great opportunity to grow. Matches against such opponents will show us the real level of our team and help us understand in which direction we need to move as a national team and generally for Ukrainian women's football.

— How do you prepare the team for matches against top teams, so there is no psychological pressure?

— The focus should not be on the status of the opponent but on our tasks. When players clearly understand the game plan and their role, unnecessary pressure disappears. It’s important to convey that the main thing — is the chance to show yourself in top games, not fear of making a mistake.

— What tasks do you set for the team specifically in this qualifier?

— First and foremost — no matter what group we are in, we will fight for a place in the finals of the World Cup or European forum, even if before the start we have only 1% chance of success. With this mindset, I want everyone (players, administrators, coaching staff) to approach upcoming matches as they await us. To show competitive football, progress from game to game and form a team with clear identity. For me, it’s important that the team fights in every game and lays the foundation for the future.

— In general terms, what will be a sign of successful work as head coach of the national team?

— The success indicator is a stable development of the team, trust from players in the coaching staff and clear understanding of which football we play. And, of course, results — reaching the final stage of a world or European forum — but they should be the result of correctly built processes.