Stubborn Slovenia hold hosts in check

UEFA European Under-19 Championship hosts Ukraine endured a frustrating start to Group A as ten-man Slovenia produced a determined defensive display to earn a point in Donetsk.

Sterling effort
After an edgy opening Ukraine largely enjoyed the better of the first period, Vitaliy Kaverin twice going close while captain Kyrylo Petrov passed up a gilt-edged opening early in the second. In the main, however, they were held in check by a solid and well-drilled Slovenia defence, Vitaliy Vitsenets' enjoying a rare moment of freedom but directing a header past the post. The 76th-minute dismissal of Boban Jovič left Slovenia to play out the closing stages with ten men, yet still they were unmoved.

Nervous opening
The hosts made a nervous start and might have fallen behind in the fifth minute, Martin Milec sending a crisp volley fizzing just past the post. Artur Karnoza's free-kick then clipped the outside of the net as Ukraine sought the breakthrough, although it was Igor Levchenko who was the first goalkeeper to be called into action, holding on to Haris Vučkič's long-range shot. At the other end Matej Radan was beaten by Kaverin as the Ukraine striker collected a long pass but the ball was cleared and the Slovenia goalkeeper redeemed himself by parrying Kaverin's free-kick at his near post.

Petrov miss
Those opportunities marked a mounting spell of Ukraine pressure, the hosts looking particularly threatening from set-pieces while in the absence of the suspended Rajko Rep – joint top-scorer in qualifying – Slovenia struggled for a cutting edge. Petrov should have punished them in the 54th minute as Dmytro Ieremenko escaped down the right and delivered a cross that found the Ukraine skipper unmarked at the far post, but he dragged his shot wide. The majority of the 12,800 supporters were breathing a sigh of relief moments later when their goal enjoyed a near-identical escape, Milec failing to capitalise.

Vitsenets' openings
Despite the backing of the large crowd Ukraine were struggling to penetrate a strong defence ably marshalled by centre-backs Matej Rapnik and Anel Omerovič, although Vitsenets' did escape their attentions to meet Petrov's left-wing cross but steered his header wide. Jovič was then dismissed for a second bookable offence but Slovenia survived and might even have taken all three points, substitute Dejan Zadnikar drawing a diving stop from Levchenko, although Ukraine could point to a late Vitsenets' effort that was deflected wide. Slovenia next play Switzerland on Friday, when England will be Ukraine's opponents.