The Ukraine U-20 national team won against the older Northern Ireland team

The youth national team of Ukraine U-20 (players not older than 2005) held a friendly match against Northern Ireland U-21 as part of a training camp.

Photo: A. Yushchak

Friendly match of the youth national team

Ukraine U-20 — Northern Ireland U-21 — 1:0 (0:0)

Goal: Chaban (51).

Ukraine: Voloshin (Voronov, 46), Husev (Drozd, 46), Kyrychok (Yermachkov, 61), Oharikov (Zakharchenko, 46), Dihtiary (Vernattus, 46), Melnychенко (Vashchenko, 46), Chaban (Salenko, 61), Budko (Karaman, 46), Shakh (Hodia, 61), Zadorozhny (Ponomarenko, 46), Hadzhiev (Matkevich, 46).

Northern Ireland (starting lineup): McMullan, Fogarty, McDonnell, Doherty, Kelly, Glenfield, Robinson, Maxtravik, Falls, Barr, McCann.

The players under the guidance of Dmytro Mykhailenko are currently in Turkey, where they are scheduled to hold two friendlies. This is one of the stages of preparation for the U-20 World Cup, which will take place in Chile in the fall of 2025, and for which our team qualified by reaching the semifinal of Euro-2024 U-19 in Northern Ireland.

Today, March 22, in the city of Belek, the blue and yellow faced the youth national team of Northern Ireland. The first half was competitive, with hardly any chances. The only notable moment was a wayward header from a northern Irish player closer to halftime.

During the break, Dmytro Mykhailenko made eight substitutions. One of those who remained on the field was Chaban, and he scored the first goal in the 51st minute with a classy strike from the edge of the arc. The game continued to be even, with the islanders mostly threatening after set pieces, but shooting wide of the target. In the 90th minute, Ponomarenko had a chance, but his shot was parried by the keeper. In the end, our boys secured a narrow victory — 1:0.

The next friendly match for the Ukrainian boys will take place on March 25 against the Norway U-20 team (kick-off — at 14:00 Kyiv time).