Northern Ireland’s Under-19s lost by a goal to nil against Ukraine in a Euro qualifier staged in Romania.
Competition
U19 Euro 2026 Elite Round Qualifiers
Scoreline
Ukraine U19s 1-0 Northern Ireland U19s
Scorers
Ukraine: Oleksandr Soroka (47’)
Venue
FRF Football Centre, Buftea
Date
25 March 2026
Team News
Northern Ireland’s Under-19s are currently in Romania where they are playing Ukraine, Kazakhstan and hosts Romania in the elite round of qualifiers for U19 Euro 2026.
U19s boss Gareth McAuley has chosen a 20-strong panel for the Group 5 mini tournament.
How it happened
Northern Ireland started brightly against Group 5 top seeds Ukraine at the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) Football Centre in Buftea.
Striker Paul McGovern forced a save out of Ukrainian keeper Nazar Domchak early on before midfielder Joe Sheridan put an effort wide.
It was 25 minutes in before Ukraine had their first attempt on goal when attacker Dmytro Bohdanov missed the target.
Defender Nikita Kaliuzhnyi steered an effort wide before Ukraine had a flurry of chances just before the break.
Bohdanov missed an opportunity, midfielder Danylo Malov had a shot blocked, Northern Ireland keeper Josh Gracey saved an attempt by striker Bohdan Popov and Bohdanov had a shot blocked.
Half-time: Ukraine U19s 0-0 Northern Ireland U19s
Ukraine grabbed what proved to be the only goal of the game just after the restart when midfielder Oleksandr Soroka found the back of the net.
Northern Ireland’s defence then had to be on their toes as the Ukrainians pressed for a second.
A drive from midfielder Oleksandr Kamenskyi was blocked before Bohdanov, Popov and Malov had chances in quick succession.
The game became a bit scrappy before Northern Ireland striker Ceadach O’Neill (pictured) was off target with an effort and McGovern put an attempt wide.
In the closing stages both defences were on top, however Gracey had to be alert to keep out a Bohdanov goal-bound strike.
Matchday two for the U19s is on Saturday (28 March) when they will take on second seeds Romania at the Clinceni Arena in Clinceni (2.30pm GMT).
Full-time: Ukraine U19s 1-0 Northern Ireland U19s
Line-ups
Ukraine: Nazar Domchak, Yurii Kokodyniak, Nikita Kaliuzhnyi, Yaroslav Mylokost, Kyrylo Dihtiar (captain), Oleksandr Soroka, Danylo Malov, Vladyslav Tiutunov, Bohdan Popov, Dmytro Bohdanov, Oleksandr Kamenskyi.
Substitutes (used): Bohdan Olychenko, Oleksandr Feshchenko, Kostiantyn Hubenko, Demian Iesin, Yaroslav Boyko; (unused) Denys Marchenko (GK), Konstantinos Plish, Yehor Sherstiuk, Artur Ukhan.
Northern Ireland: Josh Gracey, Keevan Hawthorne, Sean Corry, Broghan Sewell, James Simpson, Callum Leacock, Joe Sheridan, Blaine McClure (captain), Paul McGovern, Max Wilson, Ceadach O’Neill.
Substitutes: (used) Alfie Wilson, Joel Kerr, Senan Devine: (unused) Will Murdock (GK), Jack Doherty, Alfie Mitchell, Luke Matykiewicz, Dylan Stitt.
