Draw keeps Ireland in contention

The Republic of Ireland remain in contention for a place in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals as they held 2009 winners Ukraine to a goalless draw in the second round of Group 4 games.

Paul Doolin's team had opened the section with a 1-0 win against Poland on Tuesday, when Ukraine lost to Italy by the same scoreline, and preserved their unbeaten run in Koszalin despite being reduced to ten men late on when Eoin Wearen received a second yellow card. Ireland now head into a decisive final encounter with Italy on Sunday, when Ukraine take on Poland.

The only clear opening of an even first half came in the 19th minute, Ireland's Anthony O'Connor having a shot blocked on the goal line by Oleksandr Nosonov and Derrick Williams failing to find the target with the follow-up.

Ukraine enjoyed more of the possession as the second half unfolded but were unable to find a way through a packed Ireland defence, for whom Anthony Forde shot just wide in the 67th minute.

With 14 minutes remaining Vladislav Kalitvintsev struck the Irish crossbar from 20 metres out after Vitaliy Buyalskyy's free-kick had come back off the wall, but it was Ireland who looked more likely to find a breakthrough on the counterattack in the closing stages. FC Dynamo Kyiv goalkeeper Maxym Koval came to Ukraine's rescue with a fine stop from John O'Sullivan, however, setting up an intriguing final day.