Today, January 28 in Turkey, the Ukrainian U-16 youth team (players born in 2010) played their second match within an international friendly tournament.

In the opening game, the blue and yellow team won against the Czech Republic's national team with a score of 3:1, and today they faced the hosts — Turkey's U-16 national team. It is worth noting that the Ukrainian players were coached from the sidelines by Nazar Savych, an assistant to Volodymyr Samborskyi who was unable to be present due to illness.

The first half went in favor of the hosts, who actively played on the wings and regularly created danger from set pieces. At the 20th minute, the Turks earned a free kick just off the edge of their penalty area. After a high delivery to the near post, Hakan Ilmaz headed it accurately into the top corner of the goal.

In the second half, the Ukrainian attack on the right wing ended in a dangerous run by Rudenko to the penalty area: he beat the goalkeeper but defenders managed to block his shot and prevent it from going into an empty net.

At the 36th minute, the blue and yellow team finally scored. After a well-executed attack on the right wing, Shevchenko received the ball just outside the penalty area, dribbled past defenders, and with an accurate shot into the far top corner equalized the score — 1:1.

In the added time of the first half, the hosts could have taken the lead again, but after a shot by Eksiner, the ball hit the post.

During halftime, the coaching staff of the Ukrainian national team made eight substitutions. The second half passed at a calmer pace with fewer goal-scoring opportunities. A key episode occurred in added time: an attack by Turkey ended with a 11-meter penalty awarded against Eksiner for a foul. However, the goalkeeper of the blue and yellow team Skakun saved the shot from Harman, preserving Ukraine's draw — 1:1.

On January 31, there will be the final match of the tournament — Turkey vs. Czech Republic. On that same day, the team under Volodymyr Samborskyi plans to play another friendly outside the tournament (opponent is still to be confirmed).

International Tournament Among Youth Teams

Turkey (U-16) — Ukraine (U-16) — 1:1 (1:1)

Goals: H. Ilmaz (20) — Shevchenko (36).

In the 90+4th minute, Harman missed a penalty kick (goalkeeper).

Turkey (U-16): Baynazoglu, Sevasoglu, Sevish (Becerem, 46), H. Ilmaz, Harman, K. Ilmaz (Altun, 90), Eksiner, Saidoglu (Turkilmaz, 46), Kazaz (Yovuz, 69), Chetinkay (c) (Yusayirench, 79), Kabatlash.

Coach: Gorgun Ozturk.

Ukraine (U-16): Galdyn (Skakun, 46), Kyslyanka (c), Kybukivych (Misura, 46), Abramovich (Begmetev, 62), Uhrig (Savchenko, 46), Birladanyu (Ostrovsky, 46), Pidhorodnyi (Dzyrinets, 46), Shevchenko (Bodak, 46), Donik (Kovbashev, 62), Rudenko (Fedushko, 46), Malivok (Gordeyev, 46). 

Warned: Kyslyanka (19), Abramovich (37), Dzyrinets (90).

Schedule of Matches for the Ukrainian U-16 Youth Team

January 26. Ukraine (U-16) — Czech Republic (U-16) — 3:1

January 28. Turkey (U-16) — Ukraine (U-16) — 1:1

Tournament Table