U19 champions of Ukraine!
Friday, May 22, 2026
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Shakhtar youth team hosted Kolos in the U19 National League round 30
Shakhtar U19 went into the final match of the season as league leaders with 76 points (goal difference: 97-28), three points ahead of their closest rivals. Kolos U19 were in 8th spot in the table with 44 points (goal difference: 50-35).
Tsukanov’s early goal proved to be the title-clincher
The Miners came into the match highly motivated, which was evident from their intensity right from the start. Early on, Kanteh could have scored when he went one-on-one with the goalkeeper but failed to beat him. The score was opened in the 9th minute: Zubrii’s long-ranger towards the bottom left corner was saved by Nedozymovanyi, but Viktor Tsukanov was quickest to react and converted the rebound to make it 1-0. The Orange-and-Blacks continued to push forward, and in the 19th minute, Kanteh won a penalty. However, Bundash struck the left post from the spot. Midway through the half, a series of fouls and stoppages slightly slowed the tempo, but the Pitmen remained in control and created a couple more dangerous chances before the break. First, a free-kick routine ended with Bundash delivering a dangerous low cross from the left, but nobody managed to finish it. Later, the hosts could have been awarded another penalty when Tsukanov was brought down on the edge of the box, but the referee did not signal a foul.
Tsukanov scored a brace as Shakhtar U19 claimed gold
The second half began with chances at both ends. Kanteh used his strength to break through one-on-one but fired straight at the goalkeeper, while in response Husol missed the target from a promising position, shooting over the bar. Midway through the half, head coach Oleksii Bielik made his first changes, bringing on Davydenko and Petruk. Meanwhile, the visitors created what was probably their best chance of the match: after a cross from the flank, Merva headed towards the top of the net, but Bahlai made a save and pushed the ball out for a corner. In the 66th minute, the Miners doubled their lead: after a turnover in the opposition half, Viktor Tsukanov struck a powerful diagonal shot from outside the penalty area into the bottom left corner – 2-0. Bundash later came close from a free-kick, but the goalkeeper saved low. In the 80th minute, Shakhtar made two more substitutions. Top scorer Muhamadou Kanteh (28 goals this season) was replaced by Chornenkyi, while Strilchuk made way for Verhun. Shortly after, Sheleketa also came on. In the closing stages, Tsukanov nearly completed his hat-trick, but his long-ranger struck the post. The Orange-and-Blacks controlled the final minutes comfortably to see out the result. 2-0 – a win for the Miners’ youth side.
Shakhtar U19 are the 2025/26 U19 National League champions!
Shakhtar Donetsk U19 2-0 (1-0) Kolos Kovalivka U19
Shchaslyve, Arsenal Arena
Goals: 1-0 Tsukanov (9′), 2-0 Tsukanov (66′)
Missed penalty: Bundash (19′, post)
Shakhtar U19: Bahlai, Reshetnikov (Sheleketa, 89′), Harabazhii, Onishchuk, Kaliuzhnyi, Bundash (c), Balakai (Davydenko, 62′), Strilchuk (Verhun, 80′), Tsukanov, Zubrii (Petruk, 62′), Kanteh (Chornenkyi, 80′)
Tsukanov’s early goal proved to be the title-clincher
The Miners came into the match highly motivated, which was evident from their intensity right from the start. Early on, Kanteh could have scored when he went one-on-one with the goalkeeper but failed to beat him. The score was opened in the 9th minute: Zubrii’s long-ranger towards the bottom left corner was saved by Nedozymovanyi, but Viktor Tsukanov was quickest to react and converted the rebound to make it 1-0. The Orange-and-Blacks continued to push forward, and in the 19th minute, Kanteh won a penalty. However, Bundash struck the left post from the spot. Midway through the half, a series of fouls and stoppages slightly slowed the tempo, but the Pitmen remained in control and created a couple more dangerous chances before the break. First, a free-kick routine ended with Bundash delivering a dangerous low cross from the left, but nobody managed to finish it. Later, the hosts could have been awarded another penalty when Tsukanov was brought down on the edge of the box, but the referee did not signal a foul.
Tsukanov scored a brace as Shakhtar U19 claimed gold
The second half began with chances at both ends. Kanteh used his strength to break through one-on-one but fired straight at the goalkeeper, while in response Husol missed the target from a promising position, shooting over the bar. Midway through the half, head coach Oleksii Bielik made his first changes, bringing on Davydenko and Petruk. Meanwhile, the visitors created what was probably their best chance of the match: after a cross from the flank, Merva headed towards the top of the net, but Bahlai made a save and pushed the ball out for a corner. In the 66th minute, the Miners doubled their lead: after a turnover in the opposition half, Viktor Tsukanov struck a powerful diagonal shot from outside the penalty area into the bottom left corner – 2-0. Bundash later came close from a free-kick, but the goalkeeper saved low. In the 80th minute, Shakhtar made two more substitutions. Top scorer Muhamadou Kanteh (28 goals this season) was replaced by Chornenkyi, while Strilchuk made way for Verhun. Shortly after, Sheleketa also came on. In the closing stages, Tsukanov nearly completed his hat-trick, but his long-ranger struck the post. The Orange-and-Blacks controlled the final minutes comfortably to see out the result. 2-0 – a win for the Miners’ youth side.
Shakhtar U19 are the 2025/26 U19 National League champions!
Shakhtar Donetsk U19 2-0 (1-0) Kolos Kovalivka U19
Shchaslyve, Arsenal Arena
Goals: 1-0 Tsukanov (9′), 2-0 Tsukanov (66′)
Missed penalty: Bundash (19′, post)
Shakhtar U19: Bahlai, Reshetnikov (Sheleketa, 89′), Harabazhii, Onishchuk, Kaliuzhnyi, Bundash (c), Balakai (Davydenko, 62′), Strilchuk (Verhun, 80′), Tsukanov, Zubrii (Petruk, 62′), Kanteh (Chornenkyi, 80′)
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