FIFA Under 20s: Ukraine thrash Myanmar

Valerii Luchkevych of Ukraine celebrates after scoring a goal. Photo / Getty Images

Ukraine 6 Myanmar 0

Ukraine took control of Group A on Wednesday with a 6-0 demolition of Myanmar in Whangarei.

The Asian side did well to get to half-time without conceding a goal - and even created some chances of their own - before the Europeans' devastating display in the second half.

Ukraine scored three goals in seven minutes early in the second spell to destroy Myanmar's resolve, then added three more in another ten minute spell.

The result means Ukraine have all but sealed their spot in the round of 16, while Myanmar will be playing only for pride on Friday against New Zealand.

The European had been off target in their opening match against the Junior All Whites on last Saturday but were ruthless in the Northland capital.

Second half substitute Valerii Luchkevych was a key man for Ukraine, scoring one and contributing two assists while compatriot Viktor Kovalenko was imperious in midfield.

Myanmar had showed some promise in the first half but - just like in their opening match against the United States - their lack of inexperience at this level was exposed as the match progressed.

A Roman Yaremchuk header opened the scoring in the 51st minute, before Luchkevych scored the goal of the day three minutes later, with a precise chip from just outside the area. Kovalenko added a third in a blink of an eye before another three goal burst later in the half, with Kovalenko, Eduard Sobol and Artem Biesiedin cashing in.

Ukraine 6 (R.Yaremchuk 51, V Luchkevych 54, V Kovalenko 57, 77, E Sobol 68, A Biesiedin
Myanmar 0

Half time: 0-0