Clean sheets crucial for leading pair

There were only seven goals in UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying round Group 12 in Riga - but the two teams that between them struck six times, Ukraine and Serbia and Montenegro, eased into the Elite round draw.

Single-goal wins
Both the eventual top two gained 1-0 wins on Matchday 1. Half-time substitute Uros Vemic scored on 69 minutes for 2004/05 semi-finalists Serbia and Montenegro against another nation that competed in Northern Ireland in July, Armenia, at the Daugava stadium, while hosts Latvia never recovered from Mykhaylo Tsymbal's goal in the 14th minute for Ukraine at the Skonto stadium.

Ukraine progress
Ukraine then travelled to the Daugava stadium and overcame Armenia 2-1. However, the Armenians took the lead early in the second half through Artak Oseyan, but Pavlo Ksonz soon equalised from the spot and Oleksandr Yakovenko claimed the winner nine minutes before time. Later that evening Ukraine's progress was confirmed as the Serbo-Montenegrins drew 0-0 with Latvia at the Skonto stadium.

Vuković goals decisive
Serbia and Montenegro still needed a point against Ukraine at the Daugava stadium to ensure their bid to reach Poland next summer stayed alive, and Ivan Vuković scored on 15 and 29 minutes to give Miodrag Radulovic's side a 2-0 win that meant they pipped their opponents to first place. Over at the Skonto stadium, Latvia played out another goalless game against Armenia to finish third.