Riznyk, Storchous, Bliznichenko and the entire team of the 17th round of the first stage of the First League

Game program of the 17th round (video report here)

About the best personalities and main figures of the tour – ​​here.

Goalkeeper – Dmitry Nepogodov (Podillya)

We rarely celebrate players from losing teams, but this is a special story. Well, it would be very difficult for the Khmelnytsky residents to maintain at least some intrigue in Ternopil. Nepogodov, in fact, missed both goals only from set pieces – Riznyk brilliantly converted the free kick, the former goalkeeper of the Kazakhstan national team parried his penalty, but Andrei himself managed to finish off. And in how many moments Dmitry helped out! He parried three shots from the same Riznyk and another from Galadei, including when they tried to throw him over, and also shot at the goal from good positions. In the end, when Podolia reduced the gap and the rosters of both teams were reduced due to removal, the game could have faltered, and it was thanks to Nepogodov that this intrigue lasted for so long.

• Best in Group B: Anton Yashkov (FC Kudrovka)

PrFirst defender – Evgeniy Yarmak (Dinaz)

Flint “received” Dinaz on his field, and the Vyshgorod club took full advantage of its chance to consolidate its position in Demidov. We especially note the right flanker Yarmak, who was active and interacted well with Seithallilov, Borisenko and Novikov. It was he who managed to rebound after the cross, shooting through the goal and opening the scoring. And in the end, when the opponents opened up, trying to win back, it was Evgeniy who fought his way from the right flank, connected Kulik, who put an end to this, Dinaz’s closest departure of the season (although Victoria, as we remember, played a conditional home match with Ryabokon’s wards at this stadium) .

• Best in Group A: Egor Abramov (Metalhead)

Tsecentral defender – Evgeniy Misyura (SK Poltava)

From October until now, SK Poltava has lost 12 points, and at the same time lost first place. To hope for the “winter championship”, Sysenko’s team had to win both final matches of the first stage – with FSK Mariupol and Metalist 1925. Moreover, the game with the Kharkov team would not have helped in any way if they had lost points in Boryspil, and everything went before that. Until Misyura headed the ball after Perebory’s penalty kick in the 90+6th minute. In addition to the winning goal, Evgeniy played satisfactorily in defense with Podlepich – in the end, the nominal hosts scored the only goal with an aimed shot, and not from the centerbacks’ zone. The fight continues.

• Best in Group A: Vladislav Moroz (Epicenter)

TseCentral defender – Miroslav Serdyuk (FC Kudrovka)

Of course, there were serious personnel losses among the Kharkov team – Churko, Mafventa, Kapinus, for various reasons, could not help Metalist 1925. However, the winning and unbeaten streak of Van Leeuwen’s team was so impressive that it seemed that the defense of FC Kudrovka could not be envied. But in fact, the Serdyuk-Mamrosenko pair played very well. One excelled in blocking and tight play, the other in steals and rebounds. And Miroslav, being on the opposing side of the field, showed remarkable prudence by providing an assist for Storchous’s goal. Now the Kudrovites have an advantage in personal meetings with such a top rival.

• Best in Group A: Bogdan Porokh (Metalhead)

Lefirst defender – Andrey Dedyaev (YUKSA)

Needless to say, a lot of problems for the “crusaders” were created by one of the outsiders – Metallurg. The guests of the stadium named after the “flying goalkeeper” Bannikov took the lead twice, were very close to a sensational victory and generally liked them. However, the owners had an ex-Cossack, however, Dedyaev did not play for Metallurg, but for the amateur Motor by that time. He started the match higher on the flank, but after an early forced substitution, Zozulya sat down in the first half. At the same time, Andrei managed to cover a lot of space and took part in both Zaporozhye goals. It was after his corner that Makhnev made a goal pass to Debelko, and later Andrei himself sent the ball to Kharchenko, who set the final score.

• Best in Group A: Alexander Klimets (Epicenter)

Tsecentral midfielder – Andrey Lipovuz (Epicenter)

Although the referee eventually rewrote Lipovuz’s goal as an own goal by Agribusiness defender Sidorenko, in fact, Andrei’s merits in the important victory over the leader can hardly be overestimated. He did a lot of work, earned the corner that opened the scoring, won the fight and shot – which led to the fatal rebound and the first goal. One can blame the defensive midfielder for being less efficient than usual in single combats, but on the whole he passed the test of the team’s middle line, which spent so much of the first stage so strongly.

• Best in Group B: Akhmed Alibekov (Metallurg)

PrFirst midfielder – Petr Lutsiv (Metalist)

We put Lutsiv as the right midfielder, who, together with Abramov, annihilated their opponents on the flank. Let’s list Peter’s merits: it was after his serve that Tsvirenko opened the scoring, even if he scored not on the first try, but with a finish after his first hit; Lutsiv worked at the initial stage of the second effective combination, after which Pidruchny served, and Chidomere beautifully closed with his head; Finally, after his throw-in, Prikhodko fought, and Abramov shot into the goal. But we don’t know whether this is the main news for Peter, or maybe the first appearance on the field after a serious injury to his brother Vasily. Their combination during the times of FC Hust or MFA Munkacs is something legendary

• Best in Group B: Ilya Zubkov (FSK Mariupol)

Atattacking midfielder – Artem Storchous (FC Kudrovka)

What a strong individual performance Storchous gave against Metalist 1925! If it weren’t for Riznyk’s impressive scoring streak and stability throughout the last rounds, as well as the magnitude of his individual contribution to the team’s success, we would definitely nominate Artem for the hero of the tour. And so he is in our symbolic team. It was Storchous who gave a wonderful, subtle assist through the cross-section for Rogozinsky’s goal, and in the second half he himself reacted to a pass from Serdyuk and with a strong blow left no chance for Varakuta, the Kharkov goalkeeper, who did not concede a goal in the reporting round for 517 minutes.

• Best in Group A: Alexander Tsvirenko (Metalist)

Lefirst midfielder – Artem Perebora (SK Poltava)

For various reasons, SK Poltava cannot count on such players as Shmigelsky, Galenkov, Kotsyumaka – and each of them could significantly strengthen the flanks of the recent leader. In addition, by being sent off for several rounds, Shcherbak, the captain and the best in Sysenko’s team in the “goal+pass” system, left himself out of the game. This team needed a new leader, and the experienced Perebora became it. He himself sharpened the game, but he especially distinguished himself in the play-by-play. He took part in the early stage of the first effective combination, after which Marusich dropped the ball under Shapovalov’s attack. And when Streltsov earned a free kick for his team and a yellow card for the opponent in the fight against Zhovtenko, Artem gave a goal to Misyura with a soft serve.

• Best in Group A: Stanislav Kristin (Epicenter)

Onfalling – Andrey Riznyk (Niva)

Riznyk gave one of the strongest solo performances this season: he scored both of his team’s goals (from a free kick, which he earned out of nothing, but on finishing after, however, a personally missed penalty), shot at the opponent’s goal five times and completely outplayed the opponents on a huge space. In the last four matches, the Niva captain has scored consistently, bringing his scoring streak to five goals in a row. That’s who regrets that the Ternopil club ended its performances in 2024! If Andrey had played like this in September and October, honestly, Niva would have qualified for the “Championship” group somewhere after Agribusiness and Epicenter, and not again found itself in the fight for elimination..

• Best in Group B: Daniil Kirichenko (Dinaz)

Onfalling – Andrey Bliznichenko (Metallurg)

Bliznichenko was once considered a great talent by Zaporizhzhya Metallurg, Dnepr and the Ukrainian youth team. This is a player of a high individual level, who a couple of years ago was among the best in the UPL club Veres. One can only imagine what kind of season he would have had now after returning to Zaporozhye if not for the injury. Now, at the end of the first stage of the match against the opponent, from which we can draw conclusions, Andrey first gave a scoring pass to Kostyuchenko with a second cross after a corner, and in the second half, after Alibekov’s brilliant pass, he brought Metallurg ahead for the second time in the match. Yes, YUKSA saved this match, achieving a strong-willed draw. However, we saw the real class of Bliznichenko, Alibekov, the same age as Milevsky – Polevoy. This team can do more!

• Best in Group A: Alex Chidomere (Metalist)

There was only one intrigue left for the penultimate round: the fourth place in Group A. And in the end, it was Metalist who made it into the Champions group, although in the derby with the former UPL participant, a lot was against the Kharkiv team. FC Minaj had generally experienced players with a higher nominal status. The Kharkiv residents themselves fulfilled an honorable mission and released a number of players to the youth national teams of Ukraine – Vernattus, Digtyar and Sinchuk. Due to disqualification, Mizyuk and the same Vernattus, as well as a member of the coaching staff, Fomin, could not help them in defense. There were also injured people. However, with a fairly young squad with an average age of just over 22 years, Metalist inflicted a crushing defeat on Lyubenovich’s team and qualified for the top eight for the second stage.

• Analysis from the All-Ukrainian Association of Football Coaches – Here.

The players from the bench tried very hard in the reporting round. After coming on as substitutes, Matvey Kharchenko (YUKSA) and Dmitry Kulik (Dinaz) scored, Ivan Demidenko (Epicenter) and Daniil Prikhodko (Metalist) provided assists. However, in our opinion, the exit of the Tarasov resident Kharchenko turned out to be the coolest. Firstly, he was forced to replace defender Zozulya in the first half (this led to several changes for the hosts). Secondly, he livened up the game and could score earlier. Thirdly, in the end, after the discount, Dedyaeva coolly shot past the goalkeeper and gave the “crusaders” a super-willed draw with Metallurg. Considering the loss of points by Metalist 1925, YUKSA maintains its position in the top three and can slightly improve its place in the final table of the first stage in the final round.

• SportArena.com statistics: 16 league matches, 3 goals.

We have a difficult choice: we can take almost every player from Metalist with his average age, but we want to give credit to the 18-year-old Tsvirenko. He opened the scoring in the match with FC Minaj, which was of great importance, and generally looked good. And here we must take into account that this recent junior scored his first goal in competitions under the auspices of the PFL and successfully replaced some of the guys who were absent due to injuries or business trips to national teams.

• SportArena.com statistics: 8 league matches, 1 goal, 1 assist.

This is such a quiet tour, without masterpieces, but with labor achievements. However, even among everyday heads there is one for aesthetes. We quote the report: “Riznyk himself went at several opponents in front of the penalty area, and although his shot was blocked, the captain of Niva tried to tackle and was knocked down in the semicircle of the penalty area by Karanga. Andrey himself took a free kick from this deadly position and planted the ball into the top corner with his right foot.”

The goal can be seen on video from 4:03

Read later on our website an interview with the player who scored two goals in the match with Podillya and extended his scoring streak to four matches.

• SportArena.com statistics: 10 league matches, 7 goals.

* * *

ALL THE BEST ON TOUR: goalkeeper, joker, young player, goalscorer – in one article. On our website – individual nominations in the First League and tour numbers!

PS When preparing the material, photographs of the official resources of the clubs were used. The material was written by the author in Ukrainian.