On Saturday, February 14, Dynamo played their final eighth friendly match of the winter training camp in Turkey where the team has been preparing for the second half of the 2025/2026 season. The opponent was Latvian runners-up RFS from Riga.
It was Dynamo’s second match of the day. Earlier in the morning Ihor Kostiuk’s side defeated Moldovan club Zimbru 5:3 so a different lineup featured in this game. The match was played in the standard format of two 45-minute halves.
Opening minutes were cautious with neither side creating clear chances. Dynamo applied high pressing and looked organized in positional play. The Latvian side combined well but struggled to break through Kyiv’s structured defense.
Redushko had a shot blocked by a defender and Dynamo earned two consecutive corners from different flanks but RFS cleared both situations. Midway through the half Brazhko attempted a long-range strike that went wide while Ponomarenko also fired over the crossbar. Overall the first half lacked clear scoring opportunities and teams went into the break level at 0:0.
The pattern of play remained similar after halftime. Dynamo continued pressing and controlling possession but initially failed to convert their advantage into goals. Vivcharenko tried his luck from distance without success. At the other end Savalnieks had a chance for RFS but his shot went wide.
Voloshyn later drove into the penalty area and tested the goalkeeper who made the save. The breakthrough finally came in the 61st minute: Shaparenko laid the ball off to Brazhko whose powerful shot from outside the box left the goalkeeper with no chance – 1:0. Shortly afterward Shaparenko nearly doubled the lead with a shot from the left side of the box but Lipuscek cleared the ball off the goal line.
Ponomarenko and Redushko both had promising attempts from distance while the game remained fairly balanced overall. RFS also threatened once with a header following a cross but the ball flew over the bar.
Dynamo sealed the win near the final whistle. Ponomarenko earned a penalty after being fouled inside the box and confidently converted it himself, placing the ball into the left corner – 2:0.
This match concluded Dynamo’s winter training camp in Turkey. The team will now return to Kyiv where on Friday, February 20, they will play their first official match of 2026, hosting Rukh Lviv in Round 17 of the Ukrainian championship.
Friendly match
February 14, 2026, Turkey, Belek, Sueno Sport Center
Dynamo Kyiv – RFS (Latvia) – 2:0 (0:0)
Dynamo Kyiv: Neshcheret, Korobov, Bilovar, Mykhavko, Vivcharenko, Brazhko, Pikhalonok (c), Shaparenko, Voloshyn, Redushko, Ponomarenko.
RFS (starting XI): Maric, Savalnieks, Ikaunieks, Lipuscek (c), Zelenkovs, Prenga, Kigurs, Diomande, Nji, Gaye, Filipovic.
Goals: Brazhko (61), Ponomarenko (86, pen.)
Booked: Korobov (78).
