Both “Colossus” and “Metalist 1925” are so far one of the main losers of the autumn part of the season. The Kovalivites took only 3 points in five spring matches, the Kharkiv residents have even worse – only 1 spring draw.
Moreover, Kharkiv has not won in the UPL for 10 matches in a row and the arrival of Viktor Skrypnyk cannot affect this situation in any way. And if “Colossus” has a reserve that allows the team to stay in the middle of the tournament table, then in “digital” every new defeat forces to talk once more and once more regarding the threat of relegation to the First League. Kharkiv also understands this, they should understand it, so the team should approach each new match as if it were the last and decisive battle.
The coach of the Kharkiv team changed the starting line-up somewhat in today’s match. Mozil returned to the goal, and Protsenko sat on the bench. Chervak, who started in the last matches, was also in the reserve, as was Garmash, who was out of the starting lineup for the second match. Boryachuk and Sidorov, who were supposed to help Yusov, appeared in the attack.
Vyshniak also shuffled the lineup a bit compared to the last match. Today, Bondarenko, Chornomorets, Luchkevich, Topalov and Paulauskas appeared in the base with Rangel at the top.
The first half of the team was equal and without many opportunities. The guests tried to build the notorious “diamond” in the center of the field, trying to seize the initiative. “Colossus” responded with flank attacks followed by crosses.
The first really exciting moment was created by the Kharkiv team, when following a shot from the flank in the 12th minute, Sidorov missed the ball to the far side, where Yusov charged above the goal from the offensive position.
The middle of the half is a stretch for “Colossus”. In the 22nd minute, following a cross from the wing, Rangel won the air, but shot in the center, and within a minute, the Brazilian still opened the scoring in the match. An identical situation, a cross from Orichovskyi from the same left flank, and this time Rangel headed once more, but already hit the post! 1:0.
According to the results of the first half, I got the impression that Boryachuk somehow fell out of the game for the Kharkiv team. However, there were no substitutions at halftime, and here Viktor Skrypnyk was right. As early as in the 47th minute, the guests played a corner, following a few passes, they transferred to the center to Boryachuk, who rushed, from 30 meters, gave the goal exactly for the goal of the tour! It happened, albeit with luck, but very beautifully!
So the score became 1:1 and there was still a whole half to play. The teams understood that it is possible to take 3 points today (Colossus understood it a little more, which visited other people’s penalty area more often), but still, it was clear that the fear of losing and continuing the crisis series was higher than the desire to win.
No, of course the opponents tried to create something, but they played with an eye on the rear. As a result, everything ended with a score of 1:1.
The Kharkiv ship Skrypnyka continues its voyage without victories. The people of Kharkiv have not won 11 rounds in a row, but, nevertheless, they took a point today and continue to look ahead with restrained optimism. It’s easier for Kovalivka – Vyshniak’s team was a little better today, but did not win and continues to actually finish the season.
23rd UPL round, season 2023/24
April 7, Kovalivka, Kolos Stadium
Judge: Nazarii Gyord (Uzhgorod)
“Colossus” (Kovalyvka) – “Metalist 1925” (Kharkiv) 1:1
Naked: Rangel (23) – Boryachuk (47)
Warning: Rangel, Orikhovsky, Chornomorets – Obinaya
“Ear”: Fesyun, Bondarenko, Burda, Chornomorets, Tsurikov, Orikhovsky (Demchenko, 81), Rangel (Ilyin, 71), Luchkevich, Topalov (Giant, 81), Bogdanov (Milko, 71), Paulauskas (Bezborodko, 67)
“Metalist 1925”: Mozil, Kapinus, Imerekov, Farina, Dmytrenko, Gabelok, Zhichikov (Garmash, 84), Sidorov, Yurchenko (Obinaya, 84), Boryachuk (Bezugliy, 74), Yusov
