"Ukraine's Squad" faces defeat risk: a win is crucial against "Albania"

Following a draw with "Georgia", "Ukraine's" hopes rest on a decisive game in "Albania".

The national team of "Ukraine" stands on the brink of failure. Following a draw against "Georgia", Serhiy Rebrov's players are stuck at the bottom of the standings. Only a victory in "Albania" can save the "blue and yellow" from demotion.

Nonetheless, winning was necessary in "Batumi" as well. It's hard to hope for a successful end with just one victory in four games. By the seventh minute, the Ukrainians opened the scoring. In a swift attack, Mudryk bypassed the defender on the right flank and crossed into the center, where Kverkvelia unfortunately scored an own goal.

Exploiting the advantage didn't happen. "Georgia" quickly took the initiative, although this did not reflect in additional threats or dangerous moments. Kvaratskhelia had a good chance, curling a free kick, but his effort went way over the bar. Ukraine's counter-play was hardly memorable, relying primarily on Mudryk to create sharp moments.

The hosts came close to equalizing on the 62nd minute. Kvaratskhelia moved toward the center and shot towards the far corner — saved by the crossbar. Ukraine had a chance too: two minutes later Mudryk laid the ball for Dovbyk, who shot over the bar.

As the match progressed, it became evident Ukrainian players were being pinned back defensively. Deflections couldn't prevent a goal. On the 77th minute, Trubin saved a shot from Kocharashvili, but Mikautadze was first to the rebound — 1:1.

Encouraged, the hosts pressed forward and almost took a risk. In added time, Ukraine launched a model counterattack that could have delivered victory. Yet, keeper Mamardashvili demonstrated why he's one of Europe's finest by saving shots from Gutsulyak and Nazarenko.

With five points in five matches, Ukraine remains at the bottom of the group. In Albania, victory is imperative for Ukraine. The hosts will also be driven for maximum points.

"Georgia" - "Ukraine" 1:1 (0:1)
Goals: Kverkvelia S., 7 (own goal) (0:1); Mikautadze, 76 (1:1)
"Georgia": Mamardashvili; Kakabadze; Kashia; Kverkvelia S. (Gocholeishvili, 67); Lochoshvili; Kvaratskhelia; Kiteishvili (Mekvabishvili, 86); Kocharashvili; Chakvetadze (Davitaishvili, 46); Zivzivadze (Mikautadze, 67); Shengelia (Tsitaishvili, 67)
Substitutes: Gugeshashvili; Loria G.; Gvelesiani; Kalandadze; Lobzhanidze S.; Kvekveskiri N.
Cautions: Lochoshvili 31; Gocholeishvili 70
"Ukraine": Trubin; Zabarnyi; Konoplia; Matviyenko N.; Mykolenko; Mudryk; Sudakov (Nazarenko A., 86); Brazhko (Kalyuzhnyi I., 80); Dovbyk (Yaremchuk, 80); Zubkov (Gutsulyak, 64); Shaparenko (Kryskiv, 64)
Substitutes: Buschan; Riznyk D.; Taloverov; Bondar V.; Sych A.; Yarmolyuk; Zinchenko
Cautions: Zubkov 2; Shaparenko 52; Mykolenko 82; Mudryk 84