Robert Lewandowski prolonged his assist for Ukraine on Tuesday when the Poland captain pledged to take an armband within the colours of the nation’s blue-yellow flag on the World Cup in November.
Lewandowski protested the Russian army invasion of Ukraine for the primary time inside days, starting in February. He referred to as on Poland to boycott Russia within the World Cup qualifying sport. Twice FIFA World Player of the Year acquired his reward from Ukraine nice Andrey Shevchenko at Poland’s nationwide stadium in Warsaw. “Thanks Andrey. Glad to meet you!” Lewandowski wrote on his Instagram account. “It will be an honor for me to take this captain’s armband in the colors of Ukraine to the World Cup.”
The star ahead’s public stance helped make sure that Poland didn’t play Russia within the World Cup qualification playoff semi-finals in Warsaw on March 24. “We can’t pretend that nothing is happening,” Lewandowski stated two days earlier than FIFA and UEFA banned the Russian. Teams from worldwide competitions – successfully eradicating Russia from the World Cup.
After Poland superior by means of the playoffs to the World Cup in Qatar, Ukraine misplaced to Wales in a playoff ultimate postponed till June to assist put together the crew amid a battle that closed house soccer. Poland will play Argentina, Mexico and Saudi Arabia in Group C within the November 20-December match
The soccer relationship between Poland and Ukraine, which co-hosted the 2012 European Championship, has seen Ukrainian nationwide and membership groups play “home” video games in worldwide competitions in Polish stadiums this season. Ukraine will full its UEFA Nations League schedule in Poland subsequent week, internet hosting Scotland in Krakow.
2004 Ballon d’Or winner Shevchenko, a standout striker with AC Milan, coached Ukraine’s crew once they reached the Euro 2020 quarter-finals final 12 months.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
