Ukraine have played their second 2022/23 Nations League match – against Armenia in Lodz.
In the previous game, on June 8, Olexandr Petrakov’s men defeated Ireland in Dublin (1:0) due to the goal by Viktor Tsyhankov. Armenia also started successfully by winning against Ireland, but then lost 0:2 against Scotland.
In Lodz, Olexandr Petrakov applied lineup rotation. Five FC Dynamo Kyiv performers took the field among first eleven – Olexandr Karavayev, Illia Zabarnyi, Serhiy Sydorchuk, Mykola Shaparenko and Viktor Tsyhankov.
The game against Armenia wasn’t that easy for Ukraine at all. The Yellow-Blues dominated in the first half in terms of possession, but didn’t create a lot of chances.
Yaremchuk had an opportunity early in the game after low cross by Mudryk, but Armenian keeper Yurchenko parried the shot. Later he performed another save after long range effort by Tsyhankov.
Early in the second half Armenia could take the lead as Oganesyan rushed into the penalty area from the left side, but Piatov blocked the shot. Later Zabarnyi almost hit own goal when trying to clear the ball, but Piatov saved our team.
In the 61st minute, Ukraine finally stepped in front. Karavayev put a low cross from the right side to the box line and Malynovskyi hit the bottom corner – 1:0.
77 minutes into the match, Karavayev obtained the ball inside the penalty area and made it 2:0! This was his 2nd goal for the national team. Besides he’s got 12 assists to his name.
The third one was scored by Vitaliy Mykolenko, who made a substitute appearance. This was his first goal for the Yellow-Blues. After long ball from Zabarnyi, Monroy tried to clear it with a sliding tackle, but hit Mykolenko and the score became 3:0.
So, Ukraine have 6 points after two Nations League matchdays and lead the group.
On June 14, the Yellow-Blues will face Ireland in Lodz (kick-off – 21:45 Kyiv time).
2022/23. UEFA Nations League. Group B1. Matchday 2
Ukraine – Armenia – 3:0 (0:0)
11.06.2022. Lodz
Ukraine: Piatov (c), Karavayev, Zabarnyi, Matviyenko, Zinchenko (Mykolenko, 77), Malynovskyi, Sydorchuk (Ihnatenko, 85), Shaparenko (Pikhalionok, 70), Tsyhankov, Mudryk (Zubkov, 77), Yaremchuk (Dovbyk, 70).
Goals: Malynovskti (61), Karavayev (77), Mykolenko (84).
Photos – uefa.com, Oksana Vasylieva
