Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov has said that reaching the World Cup finals is far more important than continuing his impressive run of clean sheets.

Pyatov has been between the sticks for eight straight clean sheets - a national record. If they make it nine, then it will guarantee their place in Brazil after they won the first leg of their qualification playoff against France 2-0.

The Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper has also insisted that the work of his defenders was the reason for the run of shutouts.

He told the Football Federation of Ukraine's official website: "The guys have been great. This sequence was possible due to their efforts.

"When the goalkeeper is not beaten, the team has a better chance of winning. For me the main thing is the result of the team. It is more important to go to Brazil than to set records."

Ukraine will reach their second ever World Cup if they hold on to their lead from the first leg. In 2006, they reached the quarter-finals in Germany.