U19. Zorya vs Shakhtar: match report
Saturday, March 21, 2026
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Shakhtar U19 faced Zorya U19 in the National League round 21
Shakhtar U19 head coach Oleksii Bielik selected the following starting line-up: Bahlai was in goal; Kaliuzhnyi, Onishchuk, Strilchuk and Mylokost played in defence, Bundash, Tsukanov and Smetana operated in midfield, Derykon and Zubrii appeared on the wings, with Kanteh taking the centre-forward position.
A tense first half
The clash began with a dangerous moment for the Miners: Zubrii received a pass from deep, turned with the ball and struck from under a defender, sending it just wide of the post. The next attack from the Pitmen’s proved successful, as Smetana found the top corner. Zorya briefly took control of possession and attempted to reach Bahlai’s goal. Zadorozhnyi had an excellent chance to equalise when he went one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but the forward lacked accuracy. Eventually, in the 29th minute, the hosts managed to convert their efforts: Zadorozhnyi drew three Shakhtar U19 defenders, found space for a shot and left Bahlai with no chance to make a save. The Miners immediately stepped up the tempo and moved into the opposition half. In the 36th minute, Smetana had a promising chance from a set piece, but the ball passed just centimetres wide of the post. In the closing minutes of the first half, Kanteh had a clear chance to restore the lead for the Miners when he met a cross from the flank, but Chudas narrowed the angle well and neutralised the threat. In stoppage time, the Orange-and-Blacks could have been awarded a penalty: Bundash was brought down in the box, but the referee did not point to the spot.
A hard-fought game
At half-time, Shakhtar U19 head coach Oleksii Bielik refreshed the right flank of the attack with a substitution: Tiutiunov replaced Derykon. The Orange-and-Blacks started the second half more actively, but it was Zorya who proved more effective, capitalising on an opponent’s mistake and finishing a move through Zadorozhnyi. In response, the Pitmen took control of possession and threatened Chudas’ goal more frequently. Soon after, they equalised following an impressive combination between Strilchuk and Tiutiunov, who scored with a curling effort. The Orange-and-Blacks continued to press, trying to break down the opposition defence, and in the 74th minute they took the lead: Tiutiunov nudged the ball on under pressure to Zheliba, who turned and delivered into the finishing area for Kanteh, with the latter making the most of the opportunity. The closing minutes were rich in chances, but once again the hosts were more clinical. In the 86th minute, Striuk put the finishing touch on the match with a goal.
3-3 – the Miners drew with Zorya U19 and headed into the two-week international break as the sole leaders of the table with 52 points. The Pitmen will play their next league match against Rukh U19 on April 3.
Zorya Luhansk U19 3-3 (1-1) Shakhtar Donetsk U19
Shchaslyve, indoor facility
Goals: 0-1 Smetana (7′), 1-1 Zadorozhnyi (29′), 2-1 Zadorozhnyi (52′), 2-2 Tiutiunov (61′), 2-3 Kanteh (75′), 3-3 Striuk (86′)
Shakhtar U19: Bahlai, Kaliuzhnyi, Onishchuk, Mylokost, Strilchuk (Kostiuk, 61′), Bundash (c), Tsukanov, Smetana (Balakai, 76′), Derykon (Tiutiunov, 46′), Zubrii (Lomaha, 57′), Kanteh
A tense first half
The clash began with a dangerous moment for the Miners: Zubrii received a pass from deep, turned with the ball and struck from under a defender, sending it just wide of the post. The next attack from the Pitmen’s proved successful, as Smetana found the top corner. Zorya briefly took control of possession and attempted to reach Bahlai’s goal. Zadorozhnyi had an excellent chance to equalise when he went one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but the forward lacked accuracy. Eventually, in the 29th minute, the hosts managed to convert their efforts: Zadorozhnyi drew three Shakhtar U19 defenders, found space for a shot and left Bahlai with no chance to make a save. The Miners immediately stepped up the tempo and moved into the opposition half. In the 36th minute, Smetana had a promising chance from a set piece, but the ball passed just centimetres wide of the post. In the closing minutes of the first half, Kanteh had a clear chance to restore the lead for the Miners when he met a cross from the flank, but Chudas narrowed the angle well and neutralised the threat. In stoppage time, the Orange-and-Blacks could have been awarded a penalty: Bundash was brought down in the box, but the referee did not point to the spot.
A hard-fought game
At half-time, Shakhtar U19 head coach Oleksii Bielik refreshed the right flank of the attack with a substitution: Tiutiunov replaced Derykon. The Orange-and-Blacks started the second half more actively, but it was Zorya who proved more effective, capitalising on an opponent’s mistake and finishing a move through Zadorozhnyi. In response, the Pitmen took control of possession and threatened Chudas’ goal more frequently. Soon after, they equalised following an impressive combination between Strilchuk and Tiutiunov, who scored with a curling effort. The Orange-and-Blacks continued to press, trying to break down the opposition defence, and in the 74th minute they took the lead: Tiutiunov nudged the ball on under pressure to Zheliba, who turned and delivered into the finishing area for Kanteh, with the latter making the most of the opportunity. The closing minutes were rich in chances, but once again the hosts were more clinical. In the 86th minute, Striuk put the finishing touch on the match with a goal.
3-3 – the Miners drew with Zorya U19 and headed into the two-week international break as the sole leaders of the table with 52 points. The Pitmen will play their next league match against Rukh U19 on April 3.
Zorya Luhansk U19 3-3 (1-1) Shakhtar Donetsk U19
Shchaslyve, indoor facility
Goals: 0-1 Smetana (7′), 1-1 Zadorozhnyi (29′), 2-1 Zadorozhnyi (52′), 2-2 Tiutiunov (61′), 2-3 Kanteh (75′), 3-3 Striuk (86′)
Shakhtar U19: Bahlai, Kaliuzhnyi, Onishchuk, Mylokost, Strilchuk (Kostiuk, 61′), Bundash (c), Tsukanov, Smetana (Balakai, 76′), Derykon (Tiutiunov, 46′), Zubrii (Lomaha, 57′), Kanteh
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