Wales struggle without Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey as Andriy Yarmolenko seals Ukraine win

Updated 28/03/2016 at 20:45 GMT

International Friendly, RSK Olimpiyskyi – Ukraine 1 (Yarmolenko 28') Wales 0

Wales' Ashley Williams and Ukraine's Roman Zozulya clash

Image credit: Reuters

A solitary Andriy Yarmolenko goal confined a Wales side shorn of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey to a 1-0 defeat in Kiev.

Yarmolenko swivelled to volley home skipper Ruslan Rotan’s chip from a free-kick to notch his 23rd goal for his country in a niggly match that saw few chances for either side.

Liverpool’s Joe Allen came closest for the visitors, Andriy Pyatov beating away his swerving shot.

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And Emyr Huws played well enough to give the selection panel fuel for thought in Wales’ final match before the final squad is selected for Euro 2016, after which Wales play Sweden in Stockholm on June 5.

TALKING POINT

How did Ukraine finished with 11 players on the field? It may have been a ‘friendly’ in writing but the hosts seemed intent on kicking lumps out of the visitors but only three players went into the referee’s book.

Andriy Yarmolenko celebrates with team mates after scoring the first goal for Ukraine

Image credit: Reuters

MAN OF THE MATCH

Emyr Huws (Wales) Full of running and energy, the Huddersfield Town midfielder may have just done enough to force himself on to the flight for Euro 2016.

PLAYER RATINGS

Ukraine: Pyatov 6, Khacheridi 6, Kucher 7, Stepanenko 6, Yarmolenko 7, Zozulya 6, Shevchuk 6, Rotan 7, Fedetskiy 6, Garmash 6, Kovalenko 6. SUBS: Ngcongca 6, Budkovskiy 6.

Ukraine's Taras Stepanenko in action with Wales' Emyr Huws

Image credit: Reuters

Wales: Hennessey 6, Gunter 6, Taylor 6, Davies 7, Chester 6, A. Williams 7, Allen 6, Huws 8, Church 6, Lawrence 6, J. Williams 6. SUBS: MacDonald 6, Henley 6, Richards 6, Ledley 6, Vokes 7, Bradshaw 6.

MATCHCAST: FULL STATS, TWEETS AND COMMENTARY