League of Nations: Ukraine's national team defeated the Czech team and ahead of time guaranteed itself a first place in the group and a pass to the elite!

17.10.2018 01:39

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

In its third match in the League of Nations, the Ukrainian national team won its third victory.

At the beginning of the match in Kharkiv, its participants and fans observed a minute of silence in memory of the outstanding football player and coach, former coach of the national team of Ukraine Oleh Bazylevych, who passed away today.

Roman Yaremchuk: did not score again, but assisted Malinowski

The match started with the attacks of the national team of Ukraine. With the loud support of the fans who heard Andrey Shevchenko's appeal, completely filled the stands of USC "Metalist", blue and yellow from the start confirmed their status as favorites of the group, trying to keep the game under control. In the 10th minute, the first moment was created - Konoplyanka gave an accurate pass to Yaremchuk, but Roman scored past the goal. In three minutes the combination with the participation of the same performers was repeated, and again Yaremchuk lacked accuracy.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

But the Czechs, who, given the tournament situation, were satisfied only with the victory, having got used to the field of USC "Metalist", began to actively press the hosts and make sharp attacks. Pyatov had to save his goal when Pavelka scored after a corner kick, and Yankto went out on his own.

The Ukrainians had a great attack in the 33rd minute: Marlos brought Konoplyanka to the final blow, but Pavlenko was on top. Malinowski soon scored no less sharply, and this time the ball went a few inches from the Czech goal post. As it turned out, it was just a shot from Ruslan. A few minutes before the end of the first half, the midfielder of the national team of Ukraine discharged his gun from outside the penalty area after a discount by Yaremchuk. Malinowski continued his goal benefit, which he started in playing with the national team of Italy.

Reliable goalkeeper action and continuation of the win-win series

After the break, the game was generally even with goal chances for both opponents. Matvienko and Karavaev opened several times on the flanks, received passes on the move, but could not successfully give their partners a shot. Pyatov did not stand idle either: Andriy repulsed another powerful blow by Pavelka under the crossbar and acted confidently on the exits, adding confidence to the blue and yellows.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

In the final quarter of the match, the Ukrainians began to have opportunities for counterattacks, as the guests, who had nothing to lose, sent more and more forces on the offensive. But Yarmolenko failed to process the ball after Marlos' pass, finding himself alone in front of Pavlenko. Tsygankov didn't score after leaving together with Yarmolenko together on one defender - Pavlenko saved Czechs.  

Due to the fact that the national team of Ukraine has recently added significantly to the control of the ball, in the last minutes the blue and yellow managed to do without fires at their gates and calmly bring the game to victory. Andriy Shevchenko's team extended its unbeaten streak to nine matches and secured the final first place in the group and a ticket to League A in the next cycle.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

League B. Group 1

Ukraine - Czech Republic - 1: 0 (1: 0)    

Goal: Malinowski (43).

Ukraine: Pyatov (k), Matvienko, Rakitsky, Burda, Karavaev, Konoplyanka (Tsygankov, 70), Stepanenko, Malinovsky (Zinchenko, 86), Marlos, Yarmolenko, Yaremchuk.

Substitutions: Boyko, Lunin, Butko, Plastun, Krivtsov, Kulach, Petryak, V. Kravets, Sidorchuk, Makarenko.

Trainer: Andrii Shevchenko.

Czech Republic: Pavlenko, Jaw, Gebre Selassie, Brabets, Novak, Barak, Daughters (k), Yankto (Shural, 81), Otter (Zmghal, 67), Pavelka, Chic (Kremenchik, 73).

Substitutions: Vaccine, Cowbek, Kudela, Travnik, Stronati, Masopust, Koufal.

Trainer: Yaroslav Shilgavy.

Referee: Gedeminas Mazeika (Lithuania).

Booked: Rakitsky (39) - Jaw (19), Pavelka (90).

October 16. Kharkiv. USC "Metalist".

Standings

16.11. 2018

Slovakia - Ukraine (21.45)

19.11.2018

Czech Republic - Slovakia (21.45)