Ukraine delight despite draw
Sunday, May 2, 2004
Article summary
Ukraine 1-1 England A draw in Celje proves enough to earn Pavlo Yakovenko's team a place in the finals.
Article body
Ukraine clinched a place in this summer's UEFA Under-19 European Championship with a resolute and determined display that ended England's own qualification hopes.
Free-kick
Pavlo Yakovenko's side went into the match at Celje's Športni Park needing a single point to clinch first place in qualifying Group 4 and progress to the finals in July, and took the lead on 52 minutes thanks to a free-kick from Olexandr Aliev. Despite playing deep, Ukraine created a number of chances and lone striker Dmytro Vorobei had a glut of opportunitites but was unable to capitalise.
Collins converts
But England battled hard and Dick Bate pushed Sunderland AFC centre-back Pat Collins up front to trouble the Ukrainians with his height. With seven minutes remaining the policy paid dividends when Collins rose highest to meet a cross and put the ball beyond the Ukrainian goalkeeper to give his team a chance of overhauling the group leaders.
Ukraine advance
However, the equaliser came too late for England, and Ukraine held firm to book their berth in Switzerland. In the final, Yakovenko's team will join the hosts and Turkey, who finished first in qualifying Group 5.
