On Friday, October 31, Dynamo Kyiv’s U19 team played their next match in the National U19 League. In the 11th round Ihor Kostyuk’s side faced Shakhtar Donetsk. The match was an away fixture for Dynamo and took place at the Arsenal-Arena Stadium in Shchaslyve, near Kyiv.
It was a clash between the top two teams in the standings. After 10 rounds Dynamo had 22 points and were in second place while Shakhtar led the table with 27 points.
From the opening minutes Dynamo seized the initiative and created several dangerous chances near the hosts’ goal. First Ponomarenko was caught offside and shortly afterward Osypenko fired over the crossbar. Shakhtar responded with two sharp attacks that could have ended in goals but Dynamo goalkeeper Surkis came to the rescue both times – first reacting superbly to a free-kick and tipping the ball over the bar and then saving Bundash’s effort following a corner.
Bundash also attempted a long-range shot midway through the half but it went off target as did a similar strike by Osypenko at the other end. Overall play was mostly concentrated in midfield with both teams struggling to create clear-cut opportunities as most attacks broke down near the penalty area.
Finally Dynamo managed to break through Shakhtar’s defense and take the lead. The move began with a deep pass from Zakharchenko, followed by a one-touch assist from Osypenko to Ponomarenko who outmuscled his marker, burst into the box and fired powerfully into the top corner past Bahlai – 0:1. The visitors held that narrow lead at halftime.
The second half turned out to be even more spectacular, dramatic and eventful. Early after the restart Dynamo scored again. Taking advantage of a set piece, Andreiko’s shot from a corner was saved by the Shakhtar keeper but Ponomarenko was first to the rebound and slotted the ball to the net – 0:2.
However, just a few minutes later, the hosts pulled one back – also from a set piece. Smetana curled a powerful direct free-kick into the net – 1:2. Around the midway point of the half Shakhtar increased their pressure, pressing high, winning the ball back and creating several dangerous moments near the Dynamo goal, forcing Surkis to make multiple saves.
Eventually Shakhtar’s persistence paid off as they equalized through a well-worked team move. Substitute Petruk received the ball and finished precisely to make it 2:2.
Toward the end of the match Dynamo appeared to score again through Ozymay but the goal was ruled out for offside. Yet just a minute before full time the Kyiv side snatched victory. The hero was Hubenko who unleashed a stunning long-range strike that flew into the net along a fantastic trajectory – 2:3!
Thus Dynamo secured an important away win, reducing the gap to Shakhtar at the top of the table to just two points. Dynamo’s next match in the National U19 League will be a home fixture on Saturday, November 8, when they host LNZ Cherkasy in round 12.
National U19 League, round 11
Shakhtar – Dynamo – 2:3 (0:1)
October 31, 2025. Shchaslyve. Arsenal-Arena Stadium
Shakhtar: 36. Bahlai, 2. Reshetnikov (13. Sheleketa, 74), 14. Mylokost, 15. Kostiuk, 5. Kaliuzhnyi, 6. Bundash (16. Petruk, 74) (c), 10. Tsukanov, 8. Smetana (3. Harabazhii, 83), 7. Tiutiunov, 30. Tryfanenko (11. Zubrii, 46), 28. Kante.
Dynamo: 71. Surkis (c), 11. Hubenko, 4. Ohorodnik, 34. Zakharchenko, 3. Dekhtiar, 14. Ishchenko, 8. Liusin (18. Ozymay, 70), 22. Osypenko (5. Buravtsov, 90+1), 7. Andreiko (17. Hrodzinskyi, 70), 10. Redushko, 99. Ponomarenko (13. Korobov, 70).
Goals: Smetana (60), Petruk (75) – Ponomarenko (35, 55), Hubenko (89)
Booked: Tsukanov (40), Bahlai (85), Zubrii (90+3) – Ohorodnik (24), Ponomarenko (62), Hubenko (90)
