Ukraine inspired by changing room flag bearing personal messages from soldiers in war zone

Ukraine players were inspired by messages of support from the battlefield ahead of their crucial World Cup play-off final against Wales in Cardiff.

Sunday's game is a hugely significant occasion for both sides, with a place at the tournament in Qatar later this year on the line. If Wales qualify, it will be their first appearance at a World Cup since 1958, while it will only be the second time Ukraine have qualified for the tournament.

Of course, the visitors are playing amidst the horrific events taking place in the country following the Russian invasion, with players hoping to bring some joy to the war-torn nation with World Cup qualification.

Ahead of the final, the players were given another sombre reminder of events taking place at home, as they hung a Ukrainian flag in their dressing room which was covered in personal messages of support from soldiers on the battlefield. After his side beat Scotland 3-1 in Glasgow on Wednesday, manager Oleksandr Petrakov dedicated the victory to troops defending their country and explained that they would bring a reminder of the battle into the dressing room in Cardiff.

“Our team wrote to soldiers and received a flag from the war, which they promised to hang in the dressing room,” he said. “It’s a really hard situation in Ukraine and not everyone can watch football because of the situation, but we will try to concentrate and play well.”

Midfielder Oleksandr Karavaev, whose family live in the Russia-occupied city of Kherson, added: [My family] cannot watch the match because there is no connection and internet. But they communicate by messages and they read the news. They are all in positive mood because they see the cost of the war [to Russia] and see that it is possible for Ukraine