Gyokeres Proves World Class with Hat-Trick Masterclass – Potter Praises Striker as Sweden Advance
Sweden manager Graham Potter praised Viktor Gyokeres as world class following his decisive display in the World Cup playoff semi-final win over Ukraine.
Viktor Gyokeres scores hat-trick as Sweden beats Ukraine 3-1, setting up World Cup playoff showdown with Poland...
Viktor Gyokeres was the hero for Sweden, and manager Graham Potter isn't surprised.
Sweden hadn't exactly been flying in their qualifiers before this, but Gyokeres turned things around with a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Ukraine, ending a personal scoring drought.
Potter's praise for Gyokeres is huge, calling him 'world class' after the Arsenal forward's massive performance.
Gyokeres broke the deadlock six minutes in with a close-range finish, then doubled the Swedish lead in the sixth minute of the second half, latching onto a long clearance downfield before finishing coolly, then added a third from the penalty spot having been fouled.
Ukraine got a late consolation, but Sweden's win secures a home playoff final against Poland. Potter praised Gyokeres, calling him 'world class' after the match.
“It's a fantastic evening. An important victory. We suffered at times. Viktor was world class and when you have players like that you always have a chance,” said the Englishman.
“We knew that on counter attacks we could create problems for them and Viktor is a top player on counter attacks in large spaces. If Viktor continues to score hat-tricks, he will make it easy for me,” he added.
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But the former Chelsea and West Ham boss acknowledged there was more than one match-winner for Sweden in Valencia last night: “I thought we were tactically good and defended well as a team.”
Attentions now turn to the make-or-break playoff final on Tuesday 31st March (20:45 CET) against a Poland side that came from behind to beat Albania on home soil.
The winner will take their place in Group F at the World Cup, alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.
“It's going to be a fantastic night. It's going to be one of the most memorable football nights of my life,” Potter admitted.
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