U-21: Ukraine defeated Morocco U-23 in friendly match

22.03.2024 22:05

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

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).