A well-deserved victory
Friday, February 27, 2026
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Shakhtar hosted Veres on the UPL MD18 in Lviv
The Orange-and-Blacks’ manager Arda Turan made several changes to the line-up compared with the previous encounter: Riznyk took his place between the sticks, Konoplia and Pedro Henrique started on the defensive flanks, Matviienko and Bondar were in the centre, Kryskiv, Pedrinho and Ocheretko operated in midfield this time, Alisson and Prosper Obah (making his official Shakhtar debut) were the wingers, with Meirelles playing in the forward position.
The symbolic kick-off was taken by energy worker Oleh Tsymbalistyi – a shift supervisor at one of DTEK’s thermal power plants. Glory to all the energy workers of Ukraine who bravely and selflessly, at the limits of human endurance, hold the energy front of our country!
First half played at a high tempo, but goalless
The Miners controlled the ball and the flow of the game from the opening minutes, creating several good chances early on. First, Pedro Henrique shook off his opponent on the left side of the penalty area and fired at the far corner – the goalkeeper made the save. The attack continued, and another full-back – Yukhym Konoplia – struck from outside the box towards the left post, but the visitors were again rescued by Horokh. Prosper was also looking for his chance: in one sequence, the Nigerian cut in from the left wing to the centre and aimed from distance at the near post – the ball went just wide of the post. Veres responded midway through the half with their own opportunity, when Kharatin shot from range and Riznyk reacted to tip the ball onto the crossbar. Both teams continued to play intense football, but clear-cut chances remained limited. In stoppage time, Prosper created another opportunity, but his shot from the right edge of the box towards the near post was pushed onto a corner by the goalkeeper.
Permanent pressure from Shakhtar and Bondar’s winning goal
At half-time, the Pitmen made one change: Ocheretko was replaced by Isaque. The end-to-end play continued in the second half, but gradually the Miners’ dominance became clear, as they created a series of dangerous chances. Konoplia volleyed from the edge of the box – over the bar; Prosper’s attempt was blocked by defenders, Pedrinho curled a free-kick from a tight angle under the crossbar – the keeper stretched to save it, and neither Kryskiv nor Bondar could capitalise on the rebound; then Horokh saved a powerful long-ranger from Isaque. Midway through the half, Arda Turan strengthened the attack by bringing on fresh players, Newertton and Traore. The hosts continued to press Veres’ goal: long-range efforts from Pedrinho and Pedro Henrique were collected by the keeper, and after Isaque’s attempt, the ball dropped onto the net from above. As the game approached its final stages, the visitors sat increasingly deep and left almost no space in the penalty area. In such a situation, a set piece provided the breakthrough: in the 81st minute, after a cross from the left corner, Traore headed onto the crossbar, and Valerii Bondar reacted on the follow-up and steered the ball past the goalkeeper into the net, making it 1-0. The Brazilians could have doubled the advantage immediately: Pedrinho’s shot was saved by Horokh, Alisson’s follow-up hit a defender and Newertton just failed to reach the rebound. Traore also had a chance when he reacted to a deep ball and elegantly chipped the keeper – Honcharenko cleared the ball off the line.
1-0 – Shakhtar defeat Veres and continue their fight for the top spot in the UPL.
The next match of the Miners is exactly one week away. Arda Turan’s team will face Oleksandriia away on Friday, March 6. The game at the CSC Nika kicks off at 13:00.
Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 (0-0) Veres Rivne
Lviv, Arena Lviv, att.: 2,307
Goal: 1-0 Bondar (81′)
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Konoplia, Bondar, Matviienko (c), Pedro Henrique, Kryskiv (Nazaryna, 76′), Pedrinho, Ocheretko (Isaque, 46′), Alisson (Bondarenko, 87′), Prosper (Newertton, 63′), Meirelles (Traore, 63′)
The symbolic kick-off was taken by energy worker Oleh Tsymbalistyi – a shift supervisor at one of DTEK’s thermal power plants. Glory to all the energy workers of Ukraine who bravely and selflessly, at the limits of human endurance, hold the energy front of our country!
First half played at a high tempo, but goalless
The Miners controlled the ball and the flow of the game from the opening minutes, creating several good chances early on. First, Pedro Henrique shook off his opponent on the left side of the penalty area and fired at the far corner – the goalkeeper made the save. The attack continued, and another full-back – Yukhym Konoplia – struck from outside the box towards the left post, but the visitors were again rescued by Horokh. Prosper was also looking for his chance: in one sequence, the Nigerian cut in from the left wing to the centre and aimed from distance at the near post – the ball went just wide of the post. Veres responded midway through the half with their own opportunity, when Kharatin shot from range and Riznyk reacted to tip the ball onto the crossbar. Both teams continued to play intense football, but clear-cut chances remained limited. In stoppage time, Prosper created another opportunity, but his shot from the right edge of the box towards the near post was pushed onto a corner by the goalkeeper.
Permanent pressure from Shakhtar and Bondar’s winning goal
At half-time, the Pitmen made one change: Ocheretko was replaced by Isaque. The end-to-end play continued in the second half, but gradually the Miners’ dominance became clear, as they created a series of dangerous chances. Konoplia volleyed from the edge of the box – over the bar; Prosper’s attempt was blocked by defenders, Pedrinho curled a free-kick from a tight angle under the crossbar – the keeper stretched to save it, and neither Kryskiv nor Bondar could capitalise on the rebound; then Horokh saved a powerful long-ranger from Isaque. Midway through the half, Arda Turan strengthened the attack by bringing on fresh players, Newertton and Traore. The hosts continued to press Veres’ goal: long-range efforts from Pedrinho and Pedro Henrique were collected by the keeper, and after Isaque’s attempt, the ball dropped onto the net from above. As the game approached its final stages, the visitors sat increasingly deep and left almost no space in the penalty area. In such a situation, a set piece provided the breakthrough: in the 81st minute, after a cross from the left corner, Traore headed onto the crossbar, and Valerii Bondar reacted on the follow-up and steered the ball past the goalkeeper into the net, making it 1-0. The Brazilians could have doubled the advantage immediately: Pedrinho’s shot was saved by Horokh, Alisson’s follow-up hit a defender and Newertton just failed to reach the rebound. Traore also had a chance when he reacted to a deep ball and elegantly chipped the keeper – Honcharenko cleared the ball off the line.
1-0 – Shakhtar defeat Veres and continue their fight for the top spot in the UPL.
The next match of the Miners is exactly one week away. Arda Turan’s team will face Oleksandriia away on Friday, March 6. The game at the CSC Nika kicks off at 13:00.
Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 (0-0) Veres Rivne
Lviv, Arena Lviv, att.: 2,307
Goal: 1-0 Bondar (81′)
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Konoplia, Bondar, Matviienko (c), Pedro Henrique, Kryskiv (Nazaryna, 76′), Pedrinho, Ocheretko (Isaque, 46′), Alisson (Bondarenko, 87′), Prosper (Newertton, 63′), Meirelles (Traore, 63′)
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