Ukraine will play a friendly match against German club Borussia Mönchengladbach on May 11, shortly before their World Cup play-off against Scotland, the national team announced in a statement on Friday. The match will take place at Borussia-Park, Mönchengladbach. In response, the Ukrainian Football Association (AUF) expressed “its gratitude” to the club, while this match will represent “an important element” in the preparation for the World Cup play-offs in Qatar (November 21 – December 18).
The match against Scotland had been moved from March 24 to June 1 at the request of Ukraine, following the Russian invasion last February. The Ukrainians should start their preparation at the beginning of May, in Slovenia, while its local infrastructures are threatened by the bombardments.
The winner of the meeting, at Hampden Park in Glasgow, will then challenge Wales on June 5 in Cardiff for a place for the World Cup. On Tuesday, Ukrainian clubs decided to end the championship season early, without a champion. This had been suspended since February.