The Ukrainian U-19 national team (players born in or after 2005) began their international tournament in South Korea with a match against the hosts.

Photo by the UAF press service

The Ukrainians were first to create a goal-scoring opportunity, but Derkach failed to capitalize on a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper. However, the South Koreans opened the score in the 11th minute thanks to a cross from the flank and an accurate header. The blue-and-yellow team could have equalized immediately, but Kremchanyin's excellent pass was not utilized by Gusev.

On the 24th minute, Ponomarenko entered the penalty area from the left flank, and Vaselets closed his pass to level the score. However, the hosts still led at halftime after scoring a goal off the post and then going ahead again just before the break following a penalty kick.

Photo by the UAF press service

The second half started better for South Korea, who created several goal-scoring opportunities. On the 62nd minute, they increased their lead after a mistake by the Ukrainians in their own penalty area. The blue-and-yellow team reduced the deficit to one goal on the 78th minute when Panchenko headed home Gody's corner kick. However, their opponents quickly responded with another successful attack.

Late in the match, Mikhavko's shot from a free-kick was parried by the goalkeeper. In turn, Fesyuk saved his team from conceding a fifth goal during one of the episodes. During injury time, Gusev somehow failed to score after a corner kick.

In summary, Oleksandr Kuznetsov's wards conceded 2-4. The next match against Vietnam will take place on October 12th.

Seoul Cup (U-19) International Tournament

October 10, 2023

South Korea (U-19) — Ukraine (U-19) — 4:2 (2:1)

Goals: Su Bin Park (11), Kim To Wuk (44), Jong Wu Han (62), Min Gyu Pek (79) — Vaselets (24), Panchenko (78).

Ukraine: Fesyuk, Balaba (c), Bilkon (Lysenko, 46), Mikhavko, Gusev, Vashchenko, Mykhailiv (Yanchyshyn, 61), Derkach (Mikityuk, 72), Vaselets (Gody, 61), Ponomarenko (Panchenko, 72).

Yellow cards for Ukraine: Bilkon (31), Mykhailiv (32), Balaba (52).

Vietnam — Morocco — 0:5

October 12, 2023

Ukraine — Vietnam (10:00)

South Korea — Morocco (13:30)

October 15, 2023

Ukraine — Morocco (06:30)

South Korea — Vietnam (10:00)

Match times are in Kyiv time.

Recall that from November 15 to 21, this Ukrainian youth team will play in the qualifying round of Euro-2024 (U-19). Based on the results of the draw, the blue-and-yellow team will face teams from Slovakia, Kosovo and Malta (home venue).

Qualifying Group Composition for Euro-2024 (U-19)

Group 1: France, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia.

Group 2: Norway, Hungary, Latvia, Gibraltar.

Group 3: Serbia, Scotland, Bulgaria, Andorra.

Group 4: Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Liechtenstein.

Group 5: Germany, Poland, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan.

Group 6: Spain, Georgia, Cyprus, Moldova.

Group 7: Ukraine, Slovakia, Kosovo, Malta.

Group 8: Turkey, Greece, Belarus, Lithuania.

Group 9: Israel, Croatia, Armenia, Faroe Islands.

Group 10: Czech Republic, Romania, Finland, San Marino.

Group 11: Netherlands, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Azerbaijan, Luxembourg.

Group 12: England, Austria, Wales, Montenegro.

Group 13: Ireland, Belgium, Slovenia, Albania.

The winners of the first two places in each qualifying group and the best third-placed team based on results against the top two teams qualify for the elite round of qualification along with Portugal.

Northern Ireland, as hosts, have received a direct entry to the final stage which will take place in summer 2024.