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When Minaj secured the right to play in the First League, it was predicted that this team would have the maximum status of middle peasant. And she won the tournament on the first try. When the Transcarpathians were promoted in class to the Premier League, at least at the beginning of the tournament a hard life was predicted. In addition, the precedent was: the “Rukh” in the first round was defeated by the modest “Vorskla”, and here the member of the group stage of the Europa League yesterday played against the newcomer from UPL. However, “Minai” seems to be accused of negative public forecasts in this regard: today the Transcarpathians were not only formal, but also the true owners of the Uzhgorod field.
It was certainly not a lovely match, but did anyone really expect this? “Alexandria”, even in his best moments and even against weak opponents, does not play brilliantly, relying on physical strength and discipline. Intelligence against Minai was still needed. In the first half, “Alexandria” had a 15-20 minute lead, otherwise an equal game or a slight advantage from the hosts.
In the activity segment, Sharan’s charges created two opportunities: a long-range shot from Kovalets, controlled by Popovich, and a cross from Luchkevich. Valéry was generally the driving force behind the team from the Kirovograd region. All severity was created exclusively by the right flank of “Alexandria.” However, this was not the kind of pressure that could break an inexperienced, arrogant, but athletic beginner. “Minaj” could already score in the 10th minute, when Kozhanov simply completed a one-on-one outing. Then there was a sharp and very dangerous ledge from the asset Melichenko in the direction of Nureyev. The third accentuated moment turned into a goal against Pankiv’s goal: Anton Shinder, with a header, closed the field from the corner flag.
In “Alexandria” also noteworthy is the blow to the head by Evgeny Banada, but it did not calm Vladimir Sharan. The coach was well aware that his team in the first half had created very little as a favorite of the match.
The guests began the second part with an active pressure and a massive attack on other people’s doors. “Minaj” defended without panic, but here it is not worth talking about some peculiarity in the game of Vasily Kobin’s team: however, the opponent acted primitively and predictably. This made the task easier.
And it allowed the counterattacks to run out. One of them was scattered by Vasily Pinyashko, and Anatoly Nuriev finished with a blow from the area, they blocked it. Here we add a moment with a header from Shinder – “Alexandria” was not controlling the game. I was encouraged, but was not surprised by the variety. If it weren’t for the blow from inside Kovalets’ penalty area, we could only talk about the flank canopies.
If in the first half the defenders of the Minays were upset by Luchkevich, in the second – Kovalets. His shot in the 73rd minute was aimed under the counter, but Popovich pulled out a rope. And Andrei took the long-distance shot from Tretyakov. “Alexandria” is well prepared physically and wore it at the end of the game.
Kovalets continued to bombard, but “Minaj” maintained his structure and, thanks to the fresh legs of those who entered as substitutes, he threw the ball to the other side of the field. It was not a match between two teams of different class. It was a match between opponents of equal strength with the advantage of one of them for the home field, motivation, etc. The advantage Daniil Knysh nearly converted on the second goal was that he lost his one-on-one outing. Although at that time, the minutes gained for the transcarpathians were more important.
“Minaj” did not lose in his stadium in the First League, he did not lose in his first home game at the UPL level. Will Uzhgorod also become a fortress? We’re getting acquainted, no applause needed yet.
UPL. Second round. 13.09.2020
Uzhgorod. Stadium “Avangrad”
Referee on the field – Nikolay Balakin
Minaj – Alexandria 1: 0
objective: Anton Shinder 34
“Pass”: Andrey Popovich – Taras Sakiv, Alexander Matkobozhik, Mislav Matic, Maxim Lopyryonok, Kirill Melichenko – Andrey Tkachuk, Anatoly Nuriev (Oleg Golodyuk 90 + 2) – Vasily Pinyashko (Alexander Snizhko 83), Denis Kozhanov (Daniil Knysh Pavshly 67) – Anton Dmitry Pavshly 90 + 2)
“Alexandria”: Yuri Pankiv – Pavel Pashaev, Kaspars Dubra, Timur Stetskov (Maxim Tretyakov 46), Valery Luchkevich – Evgeniy Banada (Vasily Gritsuk 65), Artem Gordienko (Vladislav Baboglo 87) – Bogdan Mishenko (Denis Ustimenko 83), Kirill Kovalets, Dmitry Grechishkin Artem Sitalo (Denis Bezborodko 46)
Warnings: Anton Shinder 43, Andrey Popovich 90 + 4 – Yuri Pankiv 27, Dmitry Grechishkin 49, Vladimir Sharan 56, Kaspars Dubra 68, Artem Gordienko 74
