Preview

April 2, Oleksandriia, CSC Nika, 14:00
The live broadcast will be available on UPL.TV

Match build-up

Shakhtar, the current Ukrainian Cup holders, began defending the title in the autumn with the Round of 16 stage – then, in an intense game, the Miners defeated Zorya Luhansk, and Lassina Traore scored the goal. In total, the winning streak of the Pitmen in the cup tournament now includes 6 matches in a row. In the spring part of the season, Marino Pusic’s team are also undefeated, with 3 wins and 2 draws in 5 championship games. The Orange-and-Blacks played the previous match last Saturday, when they defeated Obolon in Kyiv (2-0). The goals were scored by Brazilian Eguinaldo and 20-year-old club Academy graduate Anton Hlushchenko, for whom this goal was the debut one for the first team. Shakhtar’s top goalscorer this season is Heorhii Sudakov (12 goals and 3 assists in all tournaments). We add that none of the players will skip the upcoming match due to excess of cards, and team captain Mykola Matviienko will return to the squad after a one-match suspension.

Opponents

Oleksandriia continue their most successful season so far, as they are fighting for the title and are the Ukrainian Cup contender. Ruslan Rotan’s team also started their tournament campaign with the Round of 16, defeating the representatives of the First League UCSA (4-1) away at the end of October. Rodion Plaksa (brace), Artem Kozak and Danil Skorko scored goals in that game. After the winter break, Olekdandriia-based team have got into shape: in 5 UPL matches they claimed 4 victories and lost once (namely to Shakhtar). Last weekend, the Yellow-and-Blacks overcame the resistance of Livyi Bereh Kyiv (1-0) not without difficulties, thanks to a goal by Yevhenii Smyrnyi. The most prolific player of Oleksandriia this season is still forward Oleksandr Filippov (10 goals).

Match background

Shakhtar and Oleksandriia have played 37 matches in official competitions: the Miners have 26 wins, 7 games ended in draws, and the Oleksandriia-based team were stronger 4 times. Total goal difference: 72–34. The teams played 5 games in the Ukrainian Cup – 4 victories of the Pitmen and 1 draw. The last meeting in this tournament dates back to the 2016/17 season, when the Orange-and-Blacks defeated their opponent in the Round of 16 with a 2-1 score.

Previous meeting

On March 1, Shakhtar and Oleksandriia played in the UPL at the Arena Lviv. For a long time, there was almost an even fight on the field, with the Miners having a minor advantage, and the final stretch of the match was crucial. In the 77th minute, Sudakov opened the scoring, Eguinaldo scored in the 90th minute, and Heorhii netted a brace in the added time. 3-0 –Marino Pusich’s team won.

The Oleksandriia vs Shakhtar match will be officiated by the judging panel headed by Mykola Balakin. Assistants – Dmytro Zaporozhenko and Oleksandr Berkut. VAR – Denys Shurman.