U19. Polissia vs Shakhtar: match preview
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
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Shakhtar youth team to face their Polissia counterparts in the U19 National League round 3
August 19, Hlybochytsia, FC Polissia TB No. 1, 14:00
Match build-up
Shakhtar U19 have made a good start to the new U19 National League season. In the opening round, they beat Lviv U19 (2-0) through goals from Shukalovych and Haponenko, and a week later they narrowly defeated LNZ U19 (2-1) in a difficult and emotional encounter, with Derykon and Zheliba finding the net. Maksym Malyshev’s side are unbeaten and sit among the leaders of the youth championship with six points.
Match build-up
Shakhtar U19 have made a good start to the new U19 National League season. In the opening round, they beat Lviv U19 (2-0) through goals from Shukalovych and Haponenko, and a week later they narrowly defeated LNZ U19 (2-1) in a difficult and emotional encounter, with Derykon and Zheliba finding the net. Maksym Malyshev’s side are unbeaten and sit among the leaders of the youth championship with six points.
Wins in the opening rounds, of course, give us confidence and create a good mood in the team, but the main thing is not to stop and to prove our level throughout the championship
Arsenii Safonov, midfielder:
– We are expecting a difficult and interesting match. Polissia U19 are good opponents, so it is important to be fully focused from the first minutes, follow the coach’s instructions and produce our best performance. Wins in the opening rounds, of course, give us confidence and create a good mood in the team, but the main thing is not to stop and to prove our level throughout the championship.
Opponents
Polissia U19 underwent considerable changes during the summer pre-season, and the team prepared for the season under new head coach Oleksandr Mandziuk. The start of the championship proved extremely difficult for the Wolves: in the opening round, they suffered a defeat to Livyi Bereh U19 (0-2 ), before subsequently losing to Metalurh U19 (1-2). Polissia U19 defender Zhan Matitsiv will miss the game against Shakhtar U19 due to suspension.
Match background
At youth level, Shakhtar and Polissia have played six matches against each other: the Pitmen have won five, with the other ending in victory for the Zhytomyr side.
Previous meeting
On April 19, the teams met in Hlybochytsia. The Miners started the match actively and took the lead as early as the 11th minute: Tsukanov intercepted the ball, got into a shooting position and beat the goalkeeper. Polissia U19 tried to respond, with Kovalenko even hitting the post, but Tsukanov completed his brace in the 31st minute. After the break, the Wolves looked to reduce the deficit, but the Pitmen defended in a disciplined manner. The Orange-and-Blacks pressed the opponents high and created chances of their own. There were no more goals in the final stages of the match. Shakhtar U19 beat Polissia U19 2-0 away.
– We are expecting a difficult and interesting match. Polissia U19 are good opponents, so it is important to be fully focused from the first minutes, follow the coach’s instructions and produce our best performance. Wins in the opening rounds, of course, give us confidence and create a good mood in the team, but the main thing is not to stop and to prove our level throughout the championship.
Opponents
Polissia U19 underwent considerable changes during the summer pre-season, and the team prepared for the season under new head coach Oleksandr Mandziuk. The start of the championship proved extremely difficult for the Wolves: in the opening round, they suffered a defeat to Livyi Bereh U19 (0-2 ), before subsequently losing to Metalurh U19 (1-2). Polissia U19 defender Zhan Matitsiv will miss the game against Shakhtar U19 due to suspension.
Match background
At youth level, Shakhtar and Polissia have played six matches against each other: the Pitmen have won five, with the other ending in victory for the Zhytomyr side.
Previous meeting
On April 19, the teams met in Hlybochytsia. The Miners started the match actively and took the lead as early as the 11th minute: Tsukanov intercepted the ball, got into a shooting position and beat the goalkeeper. Polissia U19 tried to respond, with Kovalenko even hitting the post, but Tsukanov completed his brace in the 31st minute. After the break, the Wolves looked to reduce the deficit, but the Pitmen defended in a disciplined manner. The Orange-and-Blacks pressed the opponents high and created chances of their own. There were no more goals in the final stages of the match. Shakhtar U19 beat Polissia U19 2-0 away.