European Under-19 Championship: Northern Ireland earn point in goalless Ukraine draw
Host nation Northern Ireland gained a well-earned point in their opening match in the Uefa European Under-19 Championship at Inver Park as they drew 0-0 with Ukraine.
Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pierce Charles made multiple impressive saves to stop Ukraine from gaining all three points.
Gareth McAuley’s side return to action on Thursday night as they face Italy at Inver Park.
The defending champions made a winning start to their Group A campaign as they were the 2-1 victors against Norway in today's other game.
Ukraine struggled to find a way past a resolute Northern Ireland defence at Inver Park
Ukraine dominate a slow first half
The away side started the game with intent with Hennadii Synchuk’s deflected delivery into the box making Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Charles produce his first save of the game in the opening minute.
Synchuk was in action again shortly after when his shot was headed out of danger by Northern Ireland captain Gallagher Lennon.
Charles continued to be the busier goalkeeper and gathered Ramik Hadzhyiev’s effort from outside the box and Dmytro Bohdanov’s first time shot from a Synchuk pass.
Northern Ireland came to life in first half additional time with Joel Thompson’s strike cleared by Mykola Oharkov before Conor Barr played Braiden Graham through on goal, but his resulting strike was cleared by stopper Vladyslav Krapyvtsov.
Charles denies away side the breakthrough
Pierce Charles, younger brother of Northern Ireland senior international Shea Charles, produced an impressive performance against Ukraine
The chances remained few and far between with Mykhavko’s free-kick sailing over the crossbar in the 63rd minute.
Charles made his first stop of the second half five minutes later when he made a low save down to his right to deny Hadzhyiev’s free-kick from range.
On 73 minutes, Timur Tutierov charged through midfield and played the ball across to the unmarked Synchuk, whose effort on target was palmed away by the impressive Charles.
Dmytro Mikhailenko's side pushed to the final whistle, but they could not find a way past the resolute Northern Ireland defence.
