You're reading: Ukraine coach Blokhin upset by booing home crowd

DONETSK, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin wasn't just angry with his players after their 2-0 defeat by France. The supporters didn't please him much either.

For large parts of Friday’s match in Group D, the home crowd booed the European Championship co-hosts.

It was all very different to the rousing support that Ukraine got during its 2-1 win over Sweden in Kiev just four days earlier.

“I think it’s not fair,” Blokhin said through an interpreter. “If we are winning, everything is fine. If we are not winning, we are shot.”

The first whistles filled the 50,000-capacity Donbass stadium in the first half. After an interruption of the match for almost an hour because of thunder, lightning and torrential rain, Ukraine lost its grip on a French team that handled the conditions better, thanks to its technical superiority.

The booing got louder early in the second half as France converted its domination into two goals in the space of three minutes.

“They supported the team during the first game,” Blokhin said. “If the team plays good, they support us. If not, then not. I think fans should always support their team, win or lose.”

Blokhin stood up for his players and took responsibility for the defeat.

“They should whistle at me, not the team, they tried everything,” the coach said.

However, Blokhin also acknowledged that his players “did not do everything we planned.”

Along with the defensive mistakes that opened the game up for France, Blokhin was also angry with the attitude shown by certain members of his team.

“Some players thought we were in the quarterfinals. We will have a serious conversation with them,” the coach said. “It’s not allowed to win the first game and play the second like this.”

Ukraine had its goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov to thank for keeping a clean sheet in the opening 45 minutes. But after France took the lead, the home team was unable to exert any pressure on its opponent.

“I didn’t like that we stopped playing after France scored twice,” Blokhin said. “We will analyze this.”

Blokhin led Ukraine to the quarterfinals in their first appearance at a major tournament — the 2006 World Cup. If the team is to repeat that feat at Euro 2012, it has to beat England on Tuesday in Donetsk.

Blokhin started Friday’s game with the same 11 players who opened against Sweden. However, he speculated on possible changes for Tuesday’s match, notably in defense.

“We can’t make chances for France in defense in front of our goal. That has to change,” said Blokhin, who refrained from mentioning names.

“But we should not be too sad,” he added. “We lost the game, but we still have one game ahead.”