PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Ukraine’s U-20 team won 3-0 against the U.S.A. on June 5 at North Harbor Stadium in Aukland during the 2015 World Cup New Zealand. Viktor Kovalenko scored a hat-trick of goals during the second half, scoring in the 56th, 74th, 79th minutes.
The first goal was scored off a free-kick after Kovalenko was taken down by Cameron Carter-Vickers at 30 yards from goal. Kovalenko’s strike curled into the bottom-left corner. The U.S.A. had a chance to equalize after Pavlo Polehenko took down Jordan Allen in the penalty area, but Ukraine’s goalkeeper Bohdan Sarnavskyj denied Emerson Hyndman the chance. The 74th-minute goal came as Eduard Sobol cut through the U.S. defense, and Kovalenko put the ball in the lower right corner. Five minutes later, Kovalenko netted another goal in the lower right corner of the net, after Artem Biesiedin’s footwork set up the shot.
There was another Ukrainian connection in this match-up, as the U.S. men’s U-20 team is coached by Omid Namazi, director of coaching for the Ukrainian Nationals of the Ukrainian American Sports Center Tryzub.
Ukraine finished in the top spot for Group A with seven points. In the Round of 16 Ukraine lost 3-1 on penalty kicks against Senegal on June 10 after drawing 1-1 in regulation. Artem Biesiedin opened the scoring in the 70th minute, and Senegal’s Sidy Sarr equalized in the 83rd minute. Ibrahim Ibou Sy, Senegal’s goalkeeper, shocked Ukraine after saving three of the shots during the shootout. Senegal advances to the quarterfinal against Uzbekistan on June 14.
The U.S.A. finished in second place in Group A with six points, won against Columbia 1-0 in the Round of 16, and advances to the quarterfinal against Serbia on June 14.
The final match is set for June 20 at North Harbor Stadium in Auckland.