Ukraine beat England to qualify from Group 1
Thursday, May 29, 2014
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Ukraine captain Eduard Sobol scored a dramatic added-time winner against England to ensure his side got the victory they needed to top Group 1 and qualify for July's finals.
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Ukraine needed a dramatic added-time winner from captain Eduard Sobol to get past England and reach the UEFA European Under-19 Championship final tournament as elite round Group 1 winners.
Having scored eight goals on their way to two victories out of two, section hosts England just needed to avoid a final-day defeat against Ukraine to seal their place at July's finals in Hungary. However, Ukraine threw men forward late on and captain Sobol grabbed a decisive winner in the fifth minute of added time. "We knew that the game against England would be very difficult and we knew that they were the stronger side," said Sobol after the match. "However, we showed our character and great discipline to win.
"Of course, it is a goal that I will remember for the rest of my life," added the defender. "I look forward to the finals now and we will prepare well for the tournament. Everything has been of the highest quality here [in England] – accommodation and the best facilities for training. I have enjoyed my time over here and I like England very much."
On 24 May, the section began with England putting six past Montenegro without reply, largely thanks to a Jordon Ibe hat-trick. Elsewhere, Adam Banks saw his penalty saved as Scotland and Ukraine opened with a goalless draw.
Undeterred by drawing a blank in their first match, Ukraine got the better of Montenegro, scoring three second-half goals in a 4-0 triumph. On the same day, Lewis Baker hit a double as Noel Blake's charges came from behind to get the better of Scotland 2-1 and set up a decider with Ukraine.
The winner-takes-all encounter seemed destined for a 0-0 draw but Sobol grabbed the headlines at the death to ensure his side joined Bulgaria, winners of Group 2, in booking their place at the final tournament. In the day's other game, Montenegro bounced back from two losses and conceding ten goals with a 1-0 victory over Scotland, who ended bottom of the section with just a point to their name.