On Monday, September 28, Dynamo Kyiv played a friendly match against Zorya Luhansk at the club’s training base in Vita-Lytovska.
The game gave players who were not involved with their national teams an opportunity to maintain their match fitness during the lengthy international break.
The first dangerous moment of the match came as early as the 6th minute. Horbach won the ball and passed to Reis, who hit the post. Dynamo responded with constant pressure on their opponents in their own half.
The Whites and Blues’ high pressing nearly led to a scoring opportunity. Rubchynskyi intercepted an opponent’s pass near Zorya’s penalty area, but was unable to get a well-aimed shot away. Soon afterwards, Dynamo goalkeeper Heorhii Bushchan had to intervene, dealing with a tricky header from an opponent.
In the 40th minute, Dynamo had several opportunities to score. First, Mounguengue narrowly missed connecting with Rubchynskyi’s cross, and during the second phase of the attack, Mykhailenko’s shot forced Rybak to parry the ball into his path. Dynamo were then awarded a penalty after Prado was fouled while attempting to follow up. Mounguengue stepped up from the penalty spot and beat Rybak in the duel.
Zorya could have equalized quickly. A corner-kick routine ended with Budkivskyi heading towards goal, but Bilovar reacted in time to divert the ball behind for a corner.
Dynamo made seven substitutions at halftime and came out for the second half with a refreshed lineup. The Kyiv side could almost immediately have doubled their lead but Rybak dealt with Salenko’s long-range effort. Zorya responded with attacks of their own, but their efforts did not bring success. Macheliuk, in particular, had a chance but his attempt from inside the penalty area went wide.
The final word belonged to Dynamo. The culmination of a prolonged attack in the 88th minute was a powerful strike from Salenko, which found the back of the net. The final whistle confirmed Dynamo’s 2:0 victory over Zorya.
Dynamo will play their next official match on October 11. The Whites and Blues will face Karpaty Lviv in the eighth round of the Ukrainian Premier League. Kick-off is scheduled for 15:30.
Friendly match
Dynamo Kyiv – Zorya – 2:0 (1:0)
Dynamo: 1. Bushchan (43. Olkhovyi, 46), 23. Malysh, 40. Bilovar (34. Zakharchenko, 46), 66. Thiare, 44. Dubinchak (90. Dykyi, 46), 91. Mykhailenko, 42. Bah (16. Ogundana, 46), 15. Rubchynskyi (17. Salenko, 46), 47. Prado (87. Pashko, 56; 20. Supriaha, 82), 22. Kabaiev (9. Voloshyn, 46), 99. Mounguengue (39. Guerrero, 46).
Zorya: 1. Saputin (25. Rybak, 30; 23. Karavashchenko, 60), 55. Jordan, 4. Kushnirenko, 10. Reis, 44. Perduta (39. Macheliuk, 54), 97. Boiko, 8. Dryshliuk (16. Poplavskyi, 84), 17. Horbach (32. Bakh, 54), 47. Italo, 7. Yurchenko (70. Rybchak, 78), 28. Budkivskyi (99. Serdiuk, 84).
Goals: Mounguengue (41, penalty), Salenko (88).
