Ukraine vs Nor.Ireland - preview

VS

- Latest events

UKRAINE

·         It wasn’t the best of games, but Ukraine at least knows that they already played Germany and now have to try and win the other matches.  

·         They didn’t play great, but still were dangerous for a shaky Germany’s defense   

·         Konoplyanka and Yarmolenko must do something different, as their influence in the opening match was very scarce.  

NOR.IRELAND

·         Northern Ireland didn’t have the best of games against Poland, defending a lot and barely ever able to counter and create danger for the opponents goal.    

·         This will be the game they think they can get something from, so expect Nor.Ireland to try and attack, not only sit back and waiting for the Ukrainians.    

·         If they can defend as well as against Poland, they might have a chance to surprise   

- Areas to follow

UKRAINE

·         Defense

Ukraine will relish this match, and it will all start with their defense. They need to be focused on the little chances they’ll have to deal with, and the matchup is great for them, as Nor.Ireland’s Lafferty is a big man, as big as the Ukranian defense, and Fomenko’s team feels they can annul him easily.

·         Midfield

Kovalenko was a bit off the game, but his pace and creativity was never going to be a factor against Germany, but it can and should be used in this match. Stepanenko should stay a bit behind and try to sweep any counter offensive from the British opponent.   

·         Attack

Fomenko needs that Konoplyanka and Iarmolenko step up their game, and by a mile. If these two had  been on point against Germany, you feel that Ukraine could have done so much better as the World Champions had a lot of trouble defending. Zozulya, whilst not a goalscorer, fought valiantly and should get another chance

             

NOR.IRELAND

·            Defense

Michael O’Neill should keep faith in their trio of center backs, on a five-man defensive line designed to stop, by any means, the opponents’ offensive. They worked very hard and almost did their bidding against Poland, but this time there’s no Lewandowski, so they have to believe they can do even better.   

·             Midfield

 McNair and Norwood did a good job until the goal conceded, and will have the same mission of standing in front of their defense and try to stop the Ukrainian construction of play while also, try to locate the big man Lafferty.   

·             Attack

Lafferty was upset after the match against Ukraine, and he called out some of his teammates, stating that they need to improve if Nor.Ireland wants to dare to dream. Him himself wasn’t brilliant, but he did fight a lot and alone, and it feels that’s what he meant, that he needs someone to help him upfront.    

- FIL’S VERDICT

 Ukraine should and needs to win. It’s the “easy” game and they need to repeat what Poland did, so they have a decisive clash in the final matchday. The game against Germany will be remember by the final score, which is understandable, but if you think back about the match, the Ukrainians had many chances to create danger, and needed their big names to step up, not down.

 Nor.Ireland will deploy the same strategy that frustrated Poland to an almost no-turning point, and they know that Ukraine doesn’t have a Bayern Munich striker in their squad. If they are able to cut down the inside movements of Ukraine’s wingers. After a disappointing start, both teams know that a loss means going home, so both will have the goal on their mind.

 

FIL’S PREDICTION

UKRAINE 2-1 NOR.IRELAND