Today, September 27, the Ukraine U-16 youth team (players born in 2010 or later) conducted a friendly match against Kovalivsky "Colos" U-19 during their training camp in Kyiv.

Coach Volodymyr Samorukov's wards have already played one friendly game — against "Metalist 1925" U-17 (3:0). Today, they faced Kovalivsky "Colos" U-19 at the NTK named after V. Bannikov.

Photos courtesy of the UAF press service

The Ukrainian team actively started the first half against much older opponents, creating several opportunities. However, on the 13th minute, a counterattack by Kovalivsky "Colos" led to their first goal. 0:1. On the 43rd minute, the young Ukrainians conceded again when goalkeeper Danylo Sychov went for a dribble near his own goal line. However, one minute later, Samorukov's wards reduced the deficit. Stefan Timchuk showcased excellent individual skills and was assisted by a ricochet off an opponent during a finishing shot — 1:2.

Photo courtesy of the UAF press service

After halftime, the coach made nearly a full lineup change. However, initially this did not help much, and on the 62nd minute, another goal went into the Ukrainian team's net. Nevertheless, four minutes later, Danylo Dolhy scored with a header to bring intrigue back into the match.

On the 86th minute, Artem Fedushko had an opportunity to equalize but missed wide of the post. Thus, the final score was 2:3.

Photos courtesy of the UAF press service

Friendship Match

Ukraine (U-16) — "Colos" (U-19) — 2:3 (1:2)

Goals: Timchuk (44), Dolhy (66) — Kovachuk (13, 62), Sitovskyy (43).

Ukraine U-16 (First Half): Sychov, Misura, Kishlyanka, Kalara, Birladyanu, Dziurynets', Donik, Serdyukovskyi, Gordiyev (Ponomaryov, 31), Timchuk, Grebelyk. 

Ukraine U-16 (Second Half): Torhov, Dziubenko, Bogatyrii, Pushkalov, Ostrovskyi, Dolhy, Ponomaryov (Kravchuk, 62), Fedushko, Boyko, Kybukovich, Martyniuk. 

Composition of the Ukraine U-16 Youth Team

Goalkeepers: Kyrylo Torhov ("Shakhtar" Donetsk), Danylo Sychov ("Krivbas" Kryvyi Rih).

Defenders: Maxim Misura, Mykita Bogatyrii (both — "Shakhtar" Donetsk), Vladyslav Dziubenko ("Dynamo" Kyiv), Kostiantyn Kishlyanka, Stefan Timchuk, Mykhailo Kalara (all — "Ruh" Lviv), Dmytro Pushkalov ("Metalist 1925" Kharkiv), Yaroslav Kybukovich ("Polesia" Zhytomyr).

Halfbacks: Ilya Ostrovskyi, Denys Ponomaryov, Dmytro Gordiyev, Mykhailo Boyko (all — "Ruh" Lviv), Iryna Birladyanu, Oleksandr Kravchuk (both — "Shakhtar" Donetsk), Myroslav Donik (LNZ Chernihiv), Danylo Dolhy ("Dynamo" Kyiv).

Forwards: Artyom Martyniuk ("Dynamo" Kyiv), Artem Fedushko, Oleksandr Dziurynets' (both — "Ruh" Lviv), Sviatoslav Serdyukovskyi ("Uzhhorod"), Yegor Grebelyk ("Left Bank" Kyiv).