League B - Group 1-4 Fixtures - 21-24th September, 2022

[Michael]

Great effort by Tsygankov as he forces a save at the near post from Armenian keeper Yurchenko. Ihnatenko floated a pass inton the penalty area and Tsygankov controlled the ball well on the run, before pulling off a shot at the near post and forcing the save from Yurchenko.

[Michael]

Tymchyk scores for Ukraine and gives them the lead! It was a great team goal. Mykolenko passed to Tsygankov just in the penalty area, Tsygankov turned and found Zubkov who was running down the left side of the penalty area and Zubkov crossed the ball which was me by Tymchyk who came running in at the far post to connect and score. Ukraine take an early lead here in Yerevan, Armania.

Armenia 0-1 Ukraine

[Michael]

Tsygankov is looking the most creative player on the pitch right now.

[Michael]

Well Ukraine really need to look for that 2nd goal in this 2nd half. As well as Tymchyk's goal and Tsygankov forcing a very good save from Yurchenko in the 1st half, Tsygankov and Ihnatenko both had efforts from outside of the area that went wide of the post. But it is important for Ukraine to get that 2nd goal, so that they can feel more comfortable and also to improve their goal difference, which may come to be important at the end of the group standings.

[Michael]

Zubkov scores to make it 2 nil!! Tymchyk ran with the ball down the right wing, he crossed the ball into the penalty area where Zubkov struck the ball first time on his right foot high into the the net. It was a very well taken goal from Zubkov and Tymchyk returns the favour to Zubkov, after Zubkov crossed to Tymchyk for him to score the 1st goal in the first half.

Armenia 0-2 Ukraine

[Michael]

Tsygankov goes on a mazy run and has a swerving shot from long range go just wide of the Armenian goal.

[Michael]

Substitution for Ukraine as Yarmolenko and Dovbyk come on for Tsygankov and Yaremchuk.

[Michael]

The substitute Dovbyk scores with his first touch as he heads the ball home with a header into an empty net. Yarmolenko pinged the ball into the area and found Zubkov, who lob/crossed the ball over the advancing keeper Yurchenko and he found Dovbyk who headed the ball into the net practically on the goal line. Ukraine are cruising now on a hot day in Yerevan.

Armenia 0-3 Ukraine

[Michael]

Ihnatenko forces a save from the Armenian keeper Yurchekno from long range. While Zubkov, who has scored one goal and assisted both other goals comes off and is replaced by the boy wonder Mudryk.

[Michael]

Ukraine score a 4th goal through Bordeaux midfielder Ihnatenko!! Dovbyk crossed the ball on the deck to Ihnatenko, who was well outside the area and Ihnatenko unleashed a rocket of a shot into the bottom hand corner of the net. Yurchenko the Armenian keeper had no chance in stopping that.

Armenia 0-4 Ukraine

[Michael]

Dovbyk scores his 2nd goal of the match and Ukraine's 5th goal! The ball found it's way to Dovbyk in the congested penalty area, he trapped the ball with his back to goal and then dragged the ball forward on the turn and knocked the ball past the Armenian keeper Yurchenko to score Ukraine's 5th goal! Ukraine are thrashing Armenia here.

Armenia 0-5 Ukraine

[Michael]

Well, it finishes Armenia 0-5 Ukraine. With this win, Ukraine go top of the group temporarily, awaiting the result of the Scotland v Ireland match this evening. Ukraine's goal difference is now superior to Scotland's goal difference, after Ukraine's thumping win against Armenia today. Ukraine totally dominated Armenia, especially in that 2nd half. Zubkov, Tymchyk, Ihnatenko and Dovbyk all impressed. While Mykolenko and Zabarnyi also played very well after their return from their respective injuries.

Ukraine will now head to Krakow, Poland in preparation for their final and decisive match against Scotland, in confident mood. As this was a much improved performance by Ukraine today compared to their last match against Scotland, albeit against weaker opposition in Armenia. Armenia though are usually a tough team to play in Yerevan, as they proved when shocking the Irish with a 1-0 win in the Nations League a couple of months back. But Ukraine need to maintain this high level of performance if they want to beat the Scottish national team in Krakow, Poland.

Ukraine will also be closely watching Scotland's match against Ireland at Hampden Park. It is really important that Scotland win today. If Scotland draw or lose against Ireland, that will mean that they will have to beat Ukraine in Poland if they want to win this group. Whereas a win for Scotland this evening against Ireland, will mean that Ukraine will have to beat Scotland in their final match in Krakow if they want to win this group. It's all to play for still for Scotland and Ukraine in this group. For Ireland, it's a matter of pride and possibly finishing in 2nd place with positive results in their last two group matches against Scotland and Armenia respectively.

[Michael]

The lineups for the Scotland v Ireland match have been announced and they are as follows:

SCOTLAND

                                        Gordon

                 Hickey - Hendry - McKenna - Tierney

                           McTominay - McGregor

                   Armstrong - McGinn - Christie

                                         Dykes

 

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

                                           Bazunu

             Doherty - Collins - Egan - O'Shea - McClean

                           Cullen - Molumby - Knight

                                   Parrott - Obafemi

 

Scotland make just two changes from the team that started against Ukraine, with Hickey starting at right-back in place of the injured Patterson. While Dykes has been selected as the centre forward this time around, in place of Che Adams. Scotland will look to win this match so that they can go top of the group, which will put them in a great position for their final and decisive match of the group against Ukraine. The best Ireland can do in this group now is finish 2nd and a win here against Scotland will go a long way to achieving that goal, as their final group match at home against Armenia, is surely one that they will win. It's a full house at Hampden Park and surely this match should be another cracker between these two neighbour countries.

 

[Michael]

The first shot of the match comes from Scotland's Ryan Christie, but it goes well wide of the Irish post for a goal kick.

[Michael]

Egan scores to give Ireland the lead! He shot at goal after there was a scramble in the area after a corner.

Scotland 0-1 Ireland

[Michael]

McGinn connects with a lovely cross from Armstrong, but he puts his shot well wide of the goal. He should have done better there.

[Michael]

Kieran Tierney has to go off injured for Scotland and he is replaced by Greg Taylor.

[Michael]

Jack Hendry scores and equalises for Scotland! Christie did superbly down the left flank and crosses the ball beautifully into the area, where Hendry met the ball with a lovely header that found the corner of the net. Game on here at Hampden Park!

Scotland 1-1 Ireland

[Michael]

McGinn drills a long range effort just wide of the Irish post.

[Michael]

Ireland break on the counter attack and Parrott has his shot saved by Gordon, when he was one on one with the Scottish keeper.

[Michael]

The sub Ryan Fraser cut inside and had a rasping shot saved by Bazunu for a corner.

[Michael]

Scotland are really pressuring Ireland in this 2nd half, with plenty of shots blocked by Irish defenders.

[Michael]

Scotland have a penalty and Ryan Christie steps up to score from the penalty as he sent Bazunu the wrong way to score!

Scotland 2-1 Ireland

[Michael]

Che Adams and McLean come on for Dykes and Christie.

[Michael]

Fraser was put through on goal but his swerving shot from just outside the area went just wide of the post. That was a good chance to score Scotland's 3rd goal.