Friendly match report
Saturday, July 25, 2026
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On July 25, the Miners played a friendly against Saudi club Al-Ula
The game was played in a format of two 30-minute halves. For their fourth pre-season friendly, Arda Turan named the following starting line-up: Bahlai started in goal, Ghram and Marlon Santos were the centre-backs, Karavaiev and Gocholeishvili operated on the flanks, Smetana, Bondarenko and Tsukanov played in midfield, newcomers Bruninho and Ryan Roberto formed the attacking trio, with Meirelles leading the line as the centre-forward.
The Miners took the initiative from the opening minutes and tried to attack in a variety of ways – both through the centre and by actively using both flanks – but they were unable to create any truly dangerous chances. Tsukanov and the young Brazilian wingers looked to make things happen, but their efforts lacked the finishing touch. The only shot on target in the opening half-hour was produced by Ryan Roberto, whose long-range effort was saved by the goalkeeper. Closer to half-time, the Saudi side also tried to control possession in the central area, but without much success in the final third.
At the break, Lucas came on for the Orange-and-Blacks. The Pitmen continued to play on the front foot, looking to increase the tempo, but the Saudi team, who were clearly struggling to keep up with the Miners’ movements, disrupted the rhythm with regular fouls. Numerous crosses and cutbacks did not bring any result, while the only dangerous shot during this spell was Karavaiev’s long-ranger, with the ball going just wide of the post. Midway through the mini-half, Matviienko, Bondar and new signing Gleiker Mendoza came on, with the latter making his first appearance in a Shakhtar jersey. Arda Turan’s side continued to push forward actively and created a good chance in the 50th minute: Gocholeishvili burst down the right flank into the penalty area and struck towards the far corner, but the Al-Ula goalkeeper saved the ball with his foot. Mendoza also had a chance, but his run into the left side of the penalty area was stopped by an opponent’s last-ditch sliding tackle. The best opportunity late on fell to Meirelles – the forward went one-on-one through the middle, but failed to beat the goalkeeper. 0-0 – Shakhtar draw with Al-Ula in a friendly.
The Miners will play their next friendly against Turkish side Bursaspor tomorrow, on July 26. The match will take place at the opponents’ ground and will kick off at 19:00 Kyiv time.
All friendlies of the Orange-and-Blacks are streamed on Shakhtar’s YouTube channel and FC Shakhtar mobile app (App Store and Google Play) in the Live section.
Shakhtar Donetsk 0-0 (0-0) Al-Ula
Brdo, National Football Centre, att.: 50
Shakhtar: Bahlai, Karavaiev (Matviienko, 43′), Ghram (Bondar, 43′), Marlon Santos (c), Gocholeishvili, Smetana, Bondarenko (Lucas, 31′), Tsukanov, Bruninho, Ryan Roberto (Mendoza, 43′), Meirelles
The Miners took the initiative from the opening minutes and tried to attack in a variety of ways – both through the centre and by actively using both flanks – but they were unable to create any truly dangerous chances. Tsukanov and the young Brazilian wingers looked to make things happen, but their efforts lacked the finishing touch. The only shot on target in the opening half-hour was produced by Ryan Roberto, whose long-range effort was saved by the goalkeeper. Closer to half-time, the Saudi side also tried to control possession in the central area, but without much success in the final third.
At the break, Lucas came on for the Orange-and-Blacks. The Pitmen continued to play on the front foot, looking to increase the tempo, but the Saudi team, who were clearly struggling to keep up with the Miners’ movements, disrupted the rhythm with regular fouls. Numerous crosses and cutbacks did not bring any result, while the only dangerous shot during this spell was Karavaiev’s long-ranger, with the ball going just wide of the post. Midway through the mini-half, Matviienko, Bondar and new signing Gleiker Mendoza came on, with the latter making his first appearance in a Shakhtar jersey. Arda Turan’s side continued to push forward actively and created a good chance in the 50th minute: Gocholeishvili burst down the right flank into the penalty area and struck towards the far corner, but the Al-Ula goalkeeper saved the ball with his foot. Mendoza also had a chance, but his run into the left side of the penalty area was stopped by an opponent’s last-ditch sliding tackle. The best opportunity late on fell to Meirelles – the forward went one-on-one through the middle, but failed to beat the goalkeeper. 0-0 – Shakhtar draw with Al-Ula in a friendly.
The Miners will play their next friendly against Turkish side Bursaspor tomorrow, on July 26. The match will take place at the opponents’ ground and will kick off at 19:00 Kyiv time.
All friendlies of the Orange-and-Blacks are streamed on Shakhtar’s YouTube channel and FC Shakhtar mobile app (App Store and Google Play) in the Live section.
Shakhtar Donetsk 0-0 (0-0) Al-Ula
Brdo, National Football Centre, att.: 50
Shakhtar: Bahlai, Karavaiev (Matviienko, 43′), Ghram (Bondar, 43′), Marlon Santos (c), Gocholeishvili, Smetana, Bondarenko (Lucas, 31′), Tsukanov, Bruninho, Ryan Roberto (Mendoza, 43′), Meirelles
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