Kostyshyn: Red card decided the result against Zorya

Kolos head coach Ruslan Kostyshyn says the red card played a decisive role in his team's 2-0 loss to Zorya on the opening weekend of the Ukrainian Premier League. Playing with ten men in such heat was extremely difficult, though Kostyshyn admitted his side still had stretches where they stayed compact around their own box. After falling behind, Kolos changed shape. Kostyshyn explained that Andriy Tsurikov was pushed into a holding midfield role as the team switched to three at the back and two strikers, which gave them a better look going forward. The coach is not pressing the panic button after one round. He reminded everyone that preseason went well and called this defeat an unfortunate accident. What matters now, he says, is character and team spirit. Kostyshyn is ready to back his players when they make mistakes, but sloppiness is not something he will accept.