Progress the aim for Ukraine

By Ihor Linnik

Ukraine will be playing at the FIFA World Youth Championship for the second time this year after making the last eight in Argentina in 2001. They will hope to better that as they take to the field in the Netherlands.

Excellent progress
While the full national side are still waiting to qualify for their first major finals tournament, Ukrainian youth teams have made excellent progress. At the 2001 World Youth Championship, they represented their continent having reached the final of the UEFA European Under-18 Championship the previous year.

Unbeaten record
They booked their place in the Netherlands by advancing to the semi-finals of the 2003/04 UEFA European U19 Championship, falling to eventual winners Spain on penalties. Subsequently, though, the team - led by FC Dynamo Kyiv forwards Oleksandr Aliyev and Artem Milevskyy - has had to deal with changes, with coach Pavlo Yakovenko having accepted the head coach's job at Russian side FC Khimki in autumn 2004.

New coach
Former Dynamo coach Oleksii Mykhailychenko has taken on Yakovenko's mantle, in addition to his role with Ukraine's U21s. His experience as a player will certainly inspire his side. He was an Olympic gold medallist and helped the Soviet Union to the final of the 1988 UEFA European Championship.

Experienced youngstes
Mykhailychenko's squad in the Netherlands may be young but it does not lack experience. The spine is made up of the 1999 intake of Dynamo's famous youth academy who have since played together in the U17 and U19 European tournaments and gained useful experience with their clubs.

Championship winners
Milevskyy, Aliyev and Oleksandr Yatsenko all featured in the Dynamo team that took the 2004 Ukrainian title, while the 20-year-old Milevskyy also made his debut in the UEFA Champions League this season in a group stage game against FC Internazionale Milano.

Domestic grounding
Defender Dmytro Chygrynskyy was included in FC Shakhtar Donetsk's Champions League squad too, but did not get the chance to make his bow. However, like many of his international team-mates, he is getting the opportunity to shine in the Ukrainian Premier League.

Standard formation
Just like the senior side, Ukraine's U20s play with a 4-4-2 formation featuring two defensive midfielders and a sweeper, Yatsenko. With pace aplenty on the flanks, Ukraine defend and press in numbers, and can attack with lightning speed and pinpoint precision.

Qualifying campaign
They passed three hurdles to take their place in the Netherlands, defeating France and Bosnia-Herzegovina to win their European U19 Championship qualifying round group in October 2003, before a draw against England and wins against Slovenia and Denmark clinched their Elite round section and a berth in last year's finals.

Unfortunate exit
In Switzerland, Ukraine escaped the group stage with a 1-0 victory against Italy and goalless draws against Belgium and the tournament hosts. They drew 2-2 against Spain in the semi-finals to remain unbeaten in normal time but lost out following a penalty shoot-out.

Stated intent
Mykhailychenko's squad have been drawn in Group B in the finals, and will take on Panama on 11 June before facing Turkey on 14 June and China three days later. "Our goal is to ensure we finish first, second or third in our group, so that hopefully we can reach the knockout stages," said the coach.

Bumper crop
With the 2005 crop rated as the most talented group of youngsters in the 14-year history of Ukrainian football, hopes are certainly high - and justifiably so.