Shakhtar U19 are Champions!

The Orange-and-Blacks approached the season’s last match being even on points with Dynamo (59), but still being ahead of the latter thanks  to two head-to-head victories. Thus, the victory over Inhulets secured the Donetsk team gold medals.

Permanent pressure

From the opening minutes, Oskar Ratulutra's lads started to fulfil the set objective: the early attempts by Honcharuk and Bako went high, Veklenko’s shot was denied by a defender, plus the goalkeeper coped with the attempts of Farina and the same Honcharuk. The Miners had the initiative throughout the first half, but they managed to rip open the opponents’ tight defence just in the 38th minute: Shostak launched an attack through the centre and linked up Sholar who passed the ball to Artem Veklenko to hit the left corner and make it 1-0!

Title-winning play and victory

After the break, Shakhtar did not slow down and secured the most comfortable lead early in the second half. The Petrove team goalkeeper scored an own goal after attempting to knock the ball from under Honcharuk, making it 2-0. And in the 59th minute, Danyil Honcharuk excelled himself: having received a convenient pass from Hluschenko, the forward beat Yarosh and rolled the ball into the back of the net – 3-0. Regardless of the score, the Orange-and-Blacks continued to charge forward. Traditionally, the best sub Artur Mykytyshyn was really dangerous: his first attempt hit the goalkeeper, with his powerful free-kick whizzing over the crossbar. Immediately after that, Losenko could have scored a double after Veklenko’s pass, but the Inhulets goalkeeper reacted well and turned the ball into the goalpost. In the end, Honcharuk and Siheev had great scoring chances, but Yarosh again came to the visitors’ rescue. Kobak and Hulko also failed to score any goals - the first one sent the ball high and the second one just hit the woodwork.

3-0 - Shakhtar U19 defeated Inhulets U19 to win the gold medals in the Ukrainian Youth Championship! The head coach Oskar Ratulutra led the team to winning the league title in his very first season. The Miners’ figures: 62 points (19 wins, 5 draws, 2 defeats), goal difference is 55-10.

Shakhtar Donetsk U19 3-0 (1-0) Inhulets Petrove U19

Goals: 1-0 Veklenko (38’), 2-0 Yarosh (50’ - o.g.), 3-0 Honcharuk (59’)

Shakhtar U19: Puzankov, Havryliuk, Hulko (c), Farina, Bako, Shostak (Losenko - 59’), Hluschenko, Sholar (Mykytyshyn - 46’), Siheev (Buleza - 89’), Veklenko (Kobak - 77’), Honcharuk (Pohorilyi - 86’)