On Friday, January 30, Dynamo Kyiv played another friendly match during their winter training camp in Turkey. The opponent was the reigning champions of Lithuania – Kauno Žalgiris. The match was played in an unusual format of four halves, each lasting 25 minutes.
From the opening minutes Dynamo controlled possession but opponents defended quite reliably near their own goal. As for chances in the first half, there were very few: Karavaiev struck the ball from a tight angle, hitting the outside of the net, at the other end Benhaib’s shot from inside the penalty area was blocked by Dynamo defenders while Karashima’s free kick from about 30 meters did not trouble Ihnatenko. Overall attempts of Ihor Kostiuk’s team to create danger led to little.
After a short break, at the start of the second 25-minute period, Kauno Žalgiris became more active going forward. After a cross from the right flank Ihnatenko played confidently off his line, punching the ball clear, while shots by Burba, Oureka and Benhaib were blocked by Dynamo defenders. Dynamo themselves struggled in attack. The most notable moment came in the 42nd minute when Shaparenko led a quick 4-on-3 counterattack and passed to Voloshyn on the right. Nazar beat a defender inside the penalty area but fired his shot over the crossbar.
Before the third 25-minute period Dynamo’s coaching staff completely changed the lineup. Fresh players tried to seize the initiative using high pressing. After a low cross from Vivcharenko on the left Pikhalonok failed to make proper contact to finish first time. Soon after Oleksandr tested the goalkeeper with his trademark shot from the right edge of the penalty area, aiming for the near post, but the post saved the opponents. Then, following a corner kick, Thiare rose highest but headed wide.
«White-and-Bues» increased the tempo, and chances became more frequent. Pikhalonok shot from inside the penalty area after a neat layoff from Ponomarenko but the ball went just wide of the post. Shortly after Vivcharenko struck from long range, forcing the goalkeeper to tip the ball over the crossbar. Ogundana later broke into the penalty area through the right inside channel but his shot went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.
In the final 25-minute period Ihor Kostiuk’s side continued to push for an equalizer while Kauno Žalgiris did not sit back either. In one episode, after a Dynamo corner, the post saved «White-and-Blues» following a header by Hernandez. In the 88th minute after Thiare unsuccessfully cleared the ball near his own goal opponents intercepted possession and Chernykh fired a shot from the right edge of the penalty area into the far corner past the goalkeeper – 0:1.
Dynamo tried to respond: Popov met a corner kick but his header flew over the crossbar, and after Vivcharenko’s free kick Korobov attempted to finish at the far post but the ball went over the goal. Dynamo lacked both time and energy for more. As a result Ihor Kostiuk’s team suffered a narrow defeat – 0:1.
Winter Training Camp 2026. Friendly match
Dynamo – Kauno Žalgiris – 0:1
Dynamo (first 50 minutes): 74. Ihnatenko – 20. Karavaiev, 40. Bilovar, 32. Mykhavko, 44. Dubinchak – 6. Brazhko, 9. Voloshyn, 30. Diallo, 10. Shaparenko, 29. Buialskii – 15. Herych (77. Blănuță, 26)
Dynamo (second 50 minutes): 74. Ihnatenko (71. Surkis, 76) – 14. Korobov, 4. Popov, 66. Thiare, 2. Vivcharenko – 91. Mykhailenko, 16. Ogundana, 39. Guerrero, 5. Yatsyk, 8. Pikhalonok – 11. Ponomarenko
Kauno Žalgiris (starting lineup): 22. Mikelionis – 80. Mutashi, 3. Tolordava, 23. Hernandez, 14. Edokpolor – 10. G. Sirgedas, 8. Karashima, 9. Ribeiro, 70. Oureka, 7. Benhaib – 77. Burba
Goal: Chernykh (88)
