Any optimism Ukraine’s national soccer team may have had following its 2-0 defeat by Germany in its Euro Cup opener quickly evaporated after a second 2-0 loss at the feet of Northern Ireland on June 15 in Lyon, France. New assistant coach Andriy Shevchenko’s “mission possible” to qualify from Group C and achieve better results than in 2012 were rendered null and void, similar to his squad’s performance on the pitch. This was a performance that mismanaged Ukraine into the dubious distinction of being the first of 24 participating nations to be eliminated from the tournament.
Northern Ireland’s victory – its first in a major competition in 34 years – combined with the later 0-0 draw between Germany and Poland left Ukraine unable to advance from its group.
Building on a strong finish to the first half, Northern Ireland center back Gareth McAuley put his team ahead with a header from an Oliver Norwood free kick in the 49th minute. Substitute Niall McGinn added a second goal deep in stoppage time while Ukraine was chasing the equalizer.
Northern Ireland was a far different team against Ukraine than the one that failed to even register a shot on goal against Poland. Coach Michael O’Neill made five line-up changes to his team in response to his squad’s lackluster start in the opening match. His team’s first shot came in the fourth minute when Stuart Dallas fired into the arms of keeper Andriy Pyatov.
Northern Ireland’s confidence grew through the first half, culminating with McAuley’s goal, his country’s first in an international competition since the 1986 World Cup. O’Neill’s team showed the extra aggressiveness he requested with rain pouring down at the Stade de Lyon. A brief suspension in play at the 58th minute because of hail did not curtail Northern Ireland’s momentum.
Ukraine looked downright lethargic as Northern Ireland had little trouble against wingers Andriy Yarmolenko and Yevhen Konoplyanka.
Ukraine’s offense was limited to Yaroslav Rakitskiy driving a low shot into goalkeeper Michael McGovern’s arms late in the first half and a few misses in the second half. Yevhen Seleznyov had two chances: the first was a glancing header that just missed the target early, then a second header straight at McGovern from an in-swinging set piece prior to the hail suspension. After play resumed, Viktor Kovalenko saw a well-struck drive drift wide of the target, while a Yarmolenko left-footed attempt forced McGovern into a low save in the 90th minute.
If Ukraine were to win its final match against Poland and Northern Ireland were to lose its last match to Germany, Ukraine would not overtake Northern Ireland in the standings even though both would have three points. Under UEFA rules, teams with the same number of points are separated by results against each other.
Fomenko questions players’ desire
After crashing out of Euro 2016, Ukrainian coach Mykhaylo Fomenko delivered a damning assessment of his players’ lack of desire and mental preparation.
“The players were not united, they didn’t fulfill our requirements,” the 67-year-old Fomenko said in a post-match news conference. “Especially the formation and how they carried out the set-pieces.”
“As far as the style of play of our opponent is concerned, nothing surprised us. We expected this level of football,” he said of Northern Ireland’s disciplined, direct game. “We understood they can score impressive goals from set-pieces, we were preparing for this kind of football. The major mistakes – we saw them today on the pitch. We weren’t prepared enough psychologically.”
Ukraine lost its opening game 2-0 to Germany and, despite finding itself under pressure to respond, Fomenko felt his team did not approach the Northern Ireland match with the proper attitude.
“Perhaps our players underestimated the opponent and underestimated the effort (that was required) to win,” he said. “We allowed the opposing team to play its own football. That’s why we lost.”