League of Nations. The Ukraine national team started their tournament with a victory over the Ireland team in Dublin
The wards of Oleksandr Petrakov began their journey at the Lizie nations-2022/2023 with a victory over Ireland at the «Aviva» stadium in Dublin.
Photo by fai.ie
The wards of Oleksandr Petrakov started their journey in the Nations League 2022/2023 with a victory over Ireland at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The blue-and-yellow team approached the game not in the best mood — after defeating Scotland (3:1), they lost to Wales (0:1) and missed out on the 2022 World Cup. Despite this, Ukraine's national team quickly received a new task from the coaching staff — to return to the top division of the Nations League.
For the opening match in the new tournament, Oleksandr Petrakov fielded an experimental lineup — only Mykolenko kept his place in the starting eleven. The national team's goalkeeper appeared for the first time since November 2020; Lunin returned to a three-man central defense scheme, and Kachaраба played on an unfamiliar right-back position. Popov, Bondar, and Mudryk made their debuts in the lineup. Injured players Bushchan and Stepanenko, as well as Yaremchuk and Yarmolenko, did not make the official squad.
The Ukrainians faced Ireland for the first time in their own history. It should be noted that our current opponents had already started the Nations League with an away loss to Armenia (0:1).
Photo fai.ie
The match began with a fierce pressure from the hosts, not entirely well-prepared Ukrainian footballers made mistakes. On the 10th minute of play, Knight delivered the first dangerous shot — Lunin cleared it to a corner kick. Later, Ukrainians pushed the game slightly away from their own goal, providing crosses by Mudryk and Mykolenko.
In the middle of the half, Dovbik reminded everyone of his presence with an unsuccessful shot from 20 meters; then Kelleher blocked Zubkov's long-range attempt. On the 37th minute, Dovbik's breakthrough and pass to Kachaраба in Ireland's penalty area ended with a powerful shot by Taras that was ruled offside by VAR. Just before halftime, Shaparenko hit the post.
Photo fai.ie
In the break, Zubkov was replaced by Tsygankov — and on the 49th minute he opened the scoring. The Dynamo player curled a free-kick into the goal without any touch from an opponent. 0:1.
Shortly after, Dovbik had a decent chance but his powerful shot hit a defender. Ireland responded with a header by Duffy — straight to Lunin's hands. Later, Shaparenko struck the post from a free-kick from 30 meters out.
Towards the end of the match, Karavaev replaced Kachaраба, and Mudryk was substituted for debutant Pikhalyonok. Meanwhile, Ireland started to control the ball more and tried to respond. On the 79th minute, Duffy headed a cross from the flank — Lunin and the crossbar saved Ukraine. Then Obafemi after a corner kick almost scored near the post; later Kallen shot narrowly wide of the "nine-yard" spot.
Photo fai.ie
Late in the match, another debutant appeared on the field — Yagnatenko replaced Sidorchuk. In added time, Knight narrowly missed over the goal, and Tsygankov's attempt to score a second was blocked by a defender. Ultimately, Ukraine held off the hosts' final pressure and secured victory.
Thus, Ukraine won 1-0. Now the blue-and-yellow team awaits home matches in the Nations League: on June 11 at LKS Stadium in Łódź they will face Armenia, and on June 14 — again against Ireland.
Nations League. Division B. Group 1
04.06.2022
Armenia — Ireland — 1:0 (0:0)
08.06.2022
Ireland — Ukraine — 0:1 (0:0)
Goal: Tsygankov (49).
Ireland: Kelleher, Christie (Brownie, 69), Stevens (McKellin, 69), Duffy (c), Igan (O'Shi, 62), Kallen, Robinson (Obafemi, 69), Collins, Hendry, Knight, Ogbeni (Hamilton, 78).
Substitutes: Talbot, Travers, Hurigan, Kin, Parrrott, Molambi, Eboselle.
Coach: Stephen Kenny.
Ukraine: Lunin, Syrota, Bondar, Popov, Mykolenko, Kachaраба (Karavaev, 72), Sidorchuk (c) (Yagnatenko, 89), Shaparenko, Mudryk (Pikhalyonok, 72), Zubkov (Tsygankov, 46), Dovbik (Sikan, 80).
Substitutes: Pyatov, Ryzhnik, Sobolev, Malinovskyi, Zabarnyi, Zenchenko, Matviyenko.
Coach: Oleksandr Petrakov.
Referee: Filip Glova (Slovakia).
Yellow cards: Kallen (54) — Mykolenko (78).
June 8. Dublin. Aviva Stadium.
Scotland — Armenia — 2:0 (2:0)
Goals: Ralston (28), McKenna (40).
Table
|
|
M |
W |
D |
L |
Pts |
GD |
|
1. Scotland |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2-0 |
3 |
|
2. Ukraine |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1-0 |
3 |
|
3. Armenia |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1-2 |
3 |
|
4. Ireland |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0-2 |
0 |
Schedule of Group B1 matches
June 11, 2022
Ukraine — Armenia 16.00
Ireland — Scotland 19.00
June 14, 2022
Armenia — Scotland 19.00
Ukraine — Ireland 21.45
September 21, 2022
Scotland — Ukraine 21.45
September 24, 2022
Armenia — Ukraine 16.00
Scotland — Ireland 21.45
September 27, 2022
Ireland — Armenia 21.45
Ukraine — Scotland 21.45
Match times are in Kyiv time.
According to the regulations, the group winner will qualify for League A, while the last-placed team will play in League C next cycle.
