France through after beating Ukraine
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Article summary
Ukraine 1-3 France
Sehrou Guirassy and substitute Moussa Dembele, and a Pavlo Lukyanchuk own goal, earned France a second Group A victory and a semi-final place.
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Article body
• France make it two wins from two Group A games by defeating Ukraine
• Sehrou Guirassy's low strike gives France the lead (32)
• Olexandr Zubkov levels with fine shot (55)
• Substitute Moussa Dembele (62) and Pavlo Lukyanchuk own goal
(90+2) ensure France points
• Two-time winners progress thanks to Greece's draw with Austria; Ukraine out
• Final fixtures on 12 July: France v Greece, Ukraine v Austria
France reached the UEFA European Under-19 Championship semi-finals with a second win in as many Group A outings. Olexandr Zubkov cancelled out Sehrou Guirassy's opener, but a Moussa Dembele finish and a late Pavlo Lukyanchuk own goal sealed the points, Patrick Gonfalone's side progressing thanks to Greece's later draw with Austria.
Having lost their first match to hosts Greece, Ukraine were in need of a positive start and almost found it as right-back Ihor Kyryukhantsev pulled back a sixth-minute cross; Olexandr Zinchenko lashed over from 20 metres. France, however, were full of confidence after beating Austria and Mouctar Diakhaby nodded wide as they sought an early goal of their own.
In the main, however, the first half-hour was a tight affair with Beka Vachiberadze's thumping shot straight at Florian Escales the sole chance of note. That changed in the 32nd minute as Olivier Kemen's perceptive pass unlocked the Ukraine defence; Guirassy coolly slipped the ball under Vadym Soldatenko.
France looked to extend their advantage quickly, Gnaly Cornet and Lucas Tousart both flashing shots narrowly wide from range before half-time, while substitute Dembele had a shot blocked by Soldatenko.
Ukraine were rocking, but responded in style ten minutes into the second half. A slick move ended with Ihor Kyryukhantsev playing in Zubkov down the right; the striker cut inside and fired an unstoppable shot high past Escales. Parity, however, proved short-lived; Dembele forced his way through three challenges and blasted under Soldatenko.
With just one goal in it Ukraine still had hope, yet in added time captain Pavlo Lukyanchuk deflected in Cornet's cross to confirm France's win and Gonfalone's side would later be assured of a seventh U19 semi-final appearance.
Reaction
Olexandr Holovko, Ukraine coach
The team did well up front, but France are superior in individual technique, especially their defenders, and their tactics were spot on. We would have liked to get something more out of this game. Our future depends on the second match between Greece and Austria. If Austria win, we have still hope and the last group stage match against them will be crucial.
Patrick Gonfalone, France coach
We weren't very good today. We didn't play well, but we were brave and we had the luck. That's all I can take from it; we lacked freshness and energy, we didn't have the legs and we looked tired. We didn't show what we can do today. It's worrying that we're not getting fresher, but less; we were hoping to grow in power as the tournament went on. If you struggle and win, it's not the worst thing in the world, but you can't carry on like that because sooner or later it'll cost you. We need to do more than this.
