Kostenko: Karpaty waited for Kryvbas to tire - then punished them

Karpaty Lviv midfielder Yan Kostenko says patience and sharp pressing were the keys to his team's 4:1 victory over Kryvbas in the Ukrainian Premier League opener. Kostenko admitted the first 20-25 minutes were tough, with Kryvbas pressing aggressively and Karpaty struggling to implement what the coaches wanted. After conceding a penalty goal, the visitors got a calming message from the bench during a water break - and the response was quick. Karpaty won a penalty of their own before halftime, leveled the score, and then delivered a far more convincing display after the break. The midfielder pointed to Kryvbas' fading legs as the main reason for the lopsided result. The home defense kept pushing up, but gaps started appearing, and Karpaty kept exploiting them. Kostenko described the third goal - his goal - as a simple but devastating move: a pass into a 50-meter stretch of open space and a finish. The second goal, he added, came after Kryvbas' midfield was left wide open. Kostenko also discussed his unorthodox role. He recalled that two years ago, when Vladyslav Lupashko was in charge, a training camp in Turkey left Karpaty without a striker - so he stepped in and scored three times. He later moved back to the left wing, but this preseason he has been working as a forward again. The midfielder is taking it in stride and insists he will play anywhere, even at right back, if the coaches ask.