Euro-2019 (U-21): Ukraine's national youth team made it upset, but defeated Latvia

07.09.2018 22:55

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Today in Zaporozhye the match of youth national teams within the framework of the qualifying tournament Euro-2019 (U-21) Ukraine - Latvia took place. 

Alexander Golovko's team is no longer entitled to error. In order to take the final second place, which gives a chance to get to the final tournament, one must win all the remaining matches.

The blue-and-yellows began to realize their intentions without hesitation. Already in the 15th second, Rusyn almost came out alone with the Latvian goalkeeper, but found himself in a position "out of the game". As if taking the example of senior comrades from the national team, who the day before made a bet on the attack in a duel with the Czech Republic, the players of the Ukrainian "youth" clearly outlined who is the host on the field. The Latvians noticeably calmed down and focused on defense.

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The Blue-Yellows built their attacks in various ways, alternating canopies from the flanks with combinations in the central zone. And managed to score after the standard. Kovalenko earned a dangerous penalty, he executed it himself, but hit the "wall", and after Shaparenko's second shot, the ball was elegantly transferred to the net by central defender Popov, who joined the draw of the standard position. Soon the Swede performed solo, consolidating the advantage of the hosts in the score. Carpathian forward, who in the last match for the club in the Premier League having made a double at Dynamo's goal, he figured out on his own almost all the protection of the Latvians and punched well with the bottom.

In the future, the Ukrainians slightly reduced the intensity of action, but continued to keep the game under control. However, in the 60th minute, the first shot in the plane of Makhankov's goal led to the fact that the score was reduced. Fedorovs from the penalty spot, appointed for the game by the hand of Popov, scored perfectly over the "wall". And soon Kigurs successfully caught the ball on his foot and from outside the penalty area struck a powerful blow to the crossbar. 2: 2.

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The draft account seemed logical, and it did not last long. In one of the subsequent attacks, Ukrainians Kovalenko successfully put his knee under Tymchik's shot. 3: 2. In the last minutes, the Latvians went off the bank, carried out some sharp attacks, but the blue and yellow resisted.

Selection for Euro 2019 (U-21). Group 4

Ukraine (U-21) - Latvia (U-21) - 3: 2 (2: 0)

Goals: Popov (21), Swede (28), Kovalenko (65) - Fedorovs (60), Kigurs (63).

Ukraine: Makhankov, Timchyk, Mykolenko, Popov, Mikhailchenko, Vakulko (k), Ladnev, Shaparenko (Protasov, 83), Kovalenko, Swede (Tretyakov, 64), Rusin (Boryachuk, 58).

Substitutions: Kanevtsev, Lukyanchuk, Gutsulyak, Nazarina.

Trainer: Alexander Golovko.

Latvia: Sommers, Yurkovskis, Gulbis, Chernomorivod (k), Karklinsh (Savelievs, 18), Tobers, Emsis, Kigurs (Yaunzems, 83), Tsyganiks, Fedorovs (Kurtishs, 76), Ivanovs.

Substitutions: Curacins, Strunds, Kolesovs, Greenbergs.

Trainer: Dainis Kazakevichs.

Referee: Ivaylo Stoyanov (Bulgaria).

Booked: Popov (43), Boryachuk (90 + 3) - Chernomordiys (40), Emsis (47), Kigurs (69), Kurtishs (83).

September 7th. Zaporizhzhia. Slavutych-Arena Stadium.

Standings

Ukraine will play its next match on September 11 in Zaporozhye against Andorra (19.00).