Ukraine star Yarmolenko gained confidence
Ukraine has zeroed in on the European Football Championship. Austria's opponent won the last test run against Cyprus 4-0 (2-0) on Monday. Andrij Jarmolenko managed a brace in Kharkiv (37th / foul penalty, 65th), the other goals were scored by Oleksander Zintschenko (45th + 2 / hand penalty) and Roman Yaremchuk (59th). Cyprus was outnumbered after a red card from the 36th minute. Austria will face the Ukrainians in their third group game on June 21.
Their coach Andrij Shevchenko had stated before the game against Cyprus that he wanted to choose an “experimental” line-up. “It's just a preparation game, not a final test. We have to get all of our players ready for the euro,” said Shevchenko the day before the game. For example, veteran Andrij Pjatow was in goal, Heorhij Buschtschan is expected at the EM. However, the most famous names played in storm and attack.
Having entered the 4-3-3 system, the Ukrainians determined the game. After good opportunities, the goals came from penalties before the break. After Cyprus’s Andreas Panayiotou saw the red for scoring a goal, West Ham striker Jarmolenko recovered. Manchester City's Zinchenko was also successful from the point in stoppage time.
In the second half there were still goals out of the game. Center forward Yaremchuk dusted off after a nice combination over the naturalized Brazilian Marlos, a clearly deflected shot from Jarmolenko then found its way into the goal. According to statistics, the Ukrainians fired twelve shots at the opposing goal in the end, Cyprus only one.
The fans in Kharkiv said goodbye to the hosts with a lot of applause for the EM. In the opening game, the Ukrainians will meet the Netherlands on Sunday evening (9 p.m.) in Amsterdam.
