U21. Shakhtar vs Zorya: preview
Friday, September 30, 2016
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In the 10th round of the U21 Ukrainian League, the Pitmen will entertain their Zorya Luhansk counterparts. We bring you the game preview
October 1, Shchaslyve, Knyazha Arena, 15:00
Before the match
Shakhtar U21 are to play their second home game in a row. A week earlier, the charges of Valeriy Kryventsov defeated Volyn (6-0) and significantly reduced the top spot gap. After nine rounds, the Orange-and-Blacks have 22 points at the goal difference of 30-7. Andrii Boriachuk did not take part in the meeting with Lutsk, with Mykyta Adamenko failing to extend his scoring streak, but these two players continue to lead the season’s top scorers list: each of them netted 7 goals.
The team of Valeriy Kryventsov approach the game with Zorya without any personnel problems: the captain Oleksandr Pikhalyonok is back training with the main group, with neither Donetsk nor Luhansk having any suspended players.
Referee – Serhiy Berezka (Kyiv oblast)
Assistant referees – Valentyn Kutsev, Taras Klymenko (both from Kyiv)
Fourth official – Klym Zabroda (Kyiv)
Referee observer – Serhiy Lysenchuk (Kyiv)
Assistant referees – Valentyn Kutsev, Taras Klymenko (both from Kyiv)
Fourth official – Klym Zabroda (Kyiv)
Referee observer – Serhiy Lysenchuk (Kyiv)
A week earlier, the charges of Valeriy Kryventsov defeated Volyn (6-0). After nine rounds, the Orange-and-Blacks have 22 points at the goal difference of 30-7
Opponents
Zorya U21 spent much of the past league season in the leaders pack, but a series of setbacks in the spring pushed Luhansk down to the sixth spot. At the start of the new season, the charges of Volodymyr Mykytin have alternate wins and defeats, sitting in the 5th spot after nine rounds (13 points, goal difference is 11-12).
In the previous match, the Luhansk team confidently beat Vorskla at home (3-1). It is worth noting that the captain of the U21 team in the current league season is a 31-year-old defender Hryhorii Yarmash, who has made over two hundred Premier League appearances.
In the championships of reserve and U21 teams, Shakhtar and Zorya have met 19 times. Last season, the Donetsk team won two matches without conceding a goal
Match background
In the championships of reserve and U21 teams, Shakhtar and Zorya have met 19 times. The Pitmen claimed 10 wins, with 5 draws and 4 defeats. The goal difference is 39-21 in favour of the Orange-and-Blacks.
Last season, the Donetsk team won two matches without conceding a goal. In the first half of the season, the goals by Serhiy Horbunov and Andrii Boriachuk helped them to win away (2-0), and in the league’s final round Shakhtar defeated their opponents in Shchaslyve (3-0). The goals were scored by Serhii Horbunov, Oleksii Zinkevych and Artem Ivanov.
Trivia
Shakhtar never lost to Zorya in the home games of the U21 league. Then Pitmen won eight matches out of ten (goal difference 29-8).
Mentor of Zorya U21 Volodymyr Mykytin dedicated a part of his player career to the Donetsk team, for which he played in the seasons 1998-2000.
