On April 7, Dynamo U19 played the UEFA Youth League round of 16 game against Sporting Lisbon youngsters at the new Giulesti Stadium in Bucharest.
The match was supposed to take place on March 2 in Kyiv, but as far as war broke off in our country, it was postponed. By the way, it was the first international game at this arena which was opened a week ago.
The White-Blues took the field with Ukrainian flags. Before the starting whistle, both sides held a moment of silence to pay tribute to people killed during horrific war in our country.
Kyivans’ motivation was obvious, but lack of game practice (last official match was played on February 9 – against Deportivo) got evident early in the game. In the 2nd minute, Cabral rushed into the penalty area and hit the near corner – 0:1.
Lisbon side had a great opportunity to increase the lead right away, but Ribeiro sent the ball wide from a promising position. Dynamo had a chance to equalize. Bliznichenko won a free kick, but goalkeeper coped with the strike by Brazhko.
In the 19th minute, Sporting had another perfect opportunity. Ribeiro obtained the ball inside the box and eluded Bol, but Neshcheret parried his shot from close range. Anyway, Portuguese side doubled the score in the first half. After another attack from the right wing, Cabral hit the near bottom corner again – 0:2.
Later Dynamo won another free kick and Diallo took it, but his shot wasn’t a problem for the goalkeeper.
Considering the situation on the field, there was hope Dynamo coach Ihor Kostiuk would manage to change something during the break and actually Kyivans started the second half actively. Voloshyn won a penalty for the White-Blues and Brazhko converted from the spot – 1:2.
Dynamo kept attacking. Voloshyn attempted from inside the box, but unfortunately missed. Meanwhile Menino appeared in a good position, but Bol blocked his potentially dangerous strike. Bliznichenko got a chance to use incoordination of Sporting defense, but failed to.
In the 72nd minute, Cabral could get a hat trick to his name, but hit the bar. Later Diallo had decent chance. He rushed into the penalty area and aimed at the far corner, but the ball went wide.
Anyway, Dynamo didn’t manage to equalize. It’s 1:2. The White-Blues finish their UEFA Youth League campaign.
Photos – Ștefan Constantin for Dynamo official site
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UEFA Youth League, round of 16
Dynamo – Sporting – 1:2
April 7. Bucharest, Giulesti Stadium
Dynamo: Neshcheret, Malysh, Bol, Diachuk, Benediuk, Brazhko, Yatsyk (c), Tsarenko (El Hamlishi, 88), Voloshyn (Horbach, 90), Diallo, Bliznichenko.
Sporting: Calai (c), Esteves, Lamba, R. Fernandes, Nazinho, Essugu, Veiga, M. Fernandes (Felis, 88), Carbal (Travassos, 82), Ribeiro (Sermiti, 63), Menino (Dias, 63).
Goals: Brazhko (49, pen.) – Cabral (2, 28).
