U-21: Ukraine defeated Morocco U-23 in friendly match
Today, the Ukraine U-21 team played a friendly match against Morocco U-23, who incidentally will be a future opponent of the Ukrainian Olympic team at the 2024 Summer Games in France. The game took place in Antalya, Turkey, at the Mardan Stadium.
The match began with a balanced struggle without clear chances until Ocheretko opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a shot from outside the penalty area. Later, Horbach missed an opportunity, and El Wazzani failed to convert a one-on-one chance against Neshcheret. Begraoui also missed a chance by shooting too weakly.
In the 33rd minute, Khlan intercepted the ball and made a run into the penalty area, but his shot was blocked. The Moroccans responded with a dangerous shot from El Vahdi, which Neshcheret dealt with. Before halftime, Bragaru attempted a long shot, but it was off target.
During the break, Unai Melgosa made almost wholesale changes to the Ukrainian team. The second half started with an unsuccessful action by the Moroccan goalkeeper, almost conceding a goal from a deflected shot. Later, Voloshyn missed a header from a good position, and Kvasnytsia's free-kick was saved by the goalkeeper.
Morocco responded with a chance from Ezzalzouli, who couldn't beat Kinareykin from a tight angle. Shortly after, Ukraine launched a counter-attack, with Pastukh's shot saved by the goalkeeper, and later Krasnopir also made a shot on goal. The opponents attempted a late comeback, with Begraoui hitting the post but from an offside position. In the end, Ukraine held on to a 1:0 victory.
It's worth noting that on March 26, as part of the Euro 2025 U-21 qualification, Ukraine will face Azerbaijan at the Azersun Arena in Baku, starting at 14:00 Kyiv time. With five wins in five matches, Unai Melgosa's team confidently leads Group F.
Meanwhile, two matches involving the opponents of the Ukrainian youth team in the Euro 2025 U-21 qualifiers took place. England defeated Azerbaijan 5:1 away, while Serbia played a 1:1 draw with Luxembourg on the road.
Friendly Match
Ukraine U-21 - Morocco U-23 - 1:0
Goal: Ocheretko (19)
Ukraine (1st half): Neshcheret, Krupskyi, Slyubyk, Batagov (c), Smolyakov, Ocheretko, Krushynskyi, Bragaru, Rubchynskyi, Khlan, Horbach.
Ukraine (2nd half): Kinareykin, Roman, Salyuk, Pavlyuk, Smolyakov, Varfolomieiev, Yatsyk, Kvasnytsia, Pastukh, Voloshyn (c), Krasnopir.
Substitute: Isenko.
Coach: Unai Melgosa.
Morocco (U-23): Hasbi, El Wafi, Kehta, El Wazzani, Salah (Driosh, 75), El Vahdi, Begraoui, El Azlzuli (c), Amravi (Nassokh, 82), El Taibi, Moueffek.
Substitutes: Mago, Ganimi, Manavate, Bushvari, Bukamir, Laziri, El Djebbari, Igaman, Taha, El Mubarik, Mavhub.
Coach: Tarik Sektiwi.
Referee: Halim Kolangi (Turkey).
Yellow card: Smolyakov (60').
March 22. Antalya. Mardan Stadium.
EURO 2025 (U-21) Qualifiers. Group F
September 7, 2023
Northern Ireland 0:1 Luxembourg
September 11, 2023
Luxembourg 0:3 England
September 12, 2023
Ukraine 1:0 Northern Ireland
Serbia 2:0 Azerbaijan
October 12, 2023
Azerbaijan 0:1 Northern Ireland
Luxembourg 0:3 Ukraine
England 9:1 Serbia
October 16, 2023
Ukraine 3:2 England
Northern Ireland 1:2 Serbia
October 17, 2023
Azerbaijan 3:2 Luxembourg
November 17, 2023
Ukraine 4:0 Luxembourg
November 18, 2023
Serbia 0:3 England
November 21, 2023
Ukraine 1:0 Azerbaijan
Serbia 2:0 Luxembourg
England 3:0 Northern Ireland
Standings
|
|
Team |
M |
W |
D |
L |
GD |
P |
|
1 |
Ukraine |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
12—2 |
15 |
|
2 |
England |
6 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
25—5 |
15 |
|
3 |
Serbia |
6 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
8—14 |
10 |
|
4 |
Luxembourg |
7 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
4—16 |
4 |
|
5 |
Northern Ireland |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
2—7 |
3 |
|
6 |
Azerbaijan |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
4—11 |
3 |
March 26, 2024
England vs. Luxembourg
Azerbaijan vs. Ukraine
Serbia vs. Northern Ireland
September 6, 2024
Luxembourg vs. Azerbaijan
Northern Ireland vs. England
Ukraine vs. Serbia
September 10, 2024
Northern Ireland vs. Ukraine
Azerbaijan vs. Serbia
October 11, 2024
England vs. Ukraine
October 12, 2024
Northern Ireland vs. Azerbaijan
October 15, 2024
Luxembourg vs. Northern Ireland
England vs. Azerbaijan
Serbia vs. Ukraine
Play-offs: November 11-19, 2024.
In the final stage of Euro 2025 (U-21), 16 teams will compete: Slovakia and 15 other national teams that will join based on the qualification results (nine group winners, three best teams among the second-place finishers, and three play-off winners among the six second-place finishers).
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