The Ukrainian U-20 youth national team (players not older than 2005) held a friendly match against their Norwegian peers within the framework of a training camp.
Photo: A. YushchakFriendly match of youth national teams
Ukraine U-20 — Norway U-20 — 1:0 (0:0)
Goal: Hodia (78)
In the 62nd minute Matkevich (Ukraine) missed a penalty (goalkeeper).
Ukraine: Krapivtsov, Vernattus (Dihytar, 46), Oharikov (Yermachkov, 79), Kyrychok (Zakharchenko, 74), Husev (Drozd, 46), Melnychenko (Hodia, 62), Shakh, Chaban (Vashchenko, 46), Matkevich (Zadorozhnyi, 79), Hadzhiev (Karamann, 46), Ponomarenko (Salenko, 46).
Norway: Ostruot, Loftesnes-Bjuune (Andersen, 78), Auckland, Rosten (Botnen, 46), Garam, Melland (Silakhy, 46), Norgheim, Pedersen (Visted, 65), Kilen, Bang-Kittilsen, Braut (Haaland, 65).
Under the guidance of Dmytro Mykhailenko, the team completed their training camp in Turkey, where they held two friendlies. This was one of the stages in 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 making it to the semifinals of the Euro-2024 U-19 in Northern Ireland.
On March 22, the “blue-yellows” played against Northern Ireland U-21 (1:0), and today, on the 25th, they faced Norway U-20. The Scandinavians are also participants in the upcoming World Cup.
The first half was quite dynamic, although not rich in chances. In the 12th minute, Matkevich combined with Ponomarenko and shot past the near corner. Later, Shakh failed to convert a dangerous cross from Husev. We can also recall Hadzhiev's inaccurate shot. The Norwegians right before the break tested Krapivtsov with a direct shot from a corner.
The Ukrainians started the second half well, particularly Vashchenko hit the frame from close range, and Matkevich had a crafty long-range shot. In the 62nd minute, the blue-yellows missed another opportunity — Dihytar earned a penalty, but Matkevich couldn’t beat the goalkeeper.
The Norwegians responded with their chance — after a direct shot from a corner, the ball hit the crossbar of Krapivtsov's goal. Then Salenko headed the ball after a corner — the goalkeeper saved. The next chance belonged to the Scandinavians, and again after a corner, the ball hit the crossbar.
In the 78th minute, our team scored — after a deep throw, the ball bounced off an opponent in the penalty area to Hodia, who turned and shot accurately. The Norwegians tried to come back, but the match ended with a victory for the “blue-yellows” — 1:0.
