Ukraine put themselves in the driver’s seat to qualify for Euro 2016 last week, winning the first leg of their decisive playoff against Slovenia 2-0. Goals from Andriy Yarmolenko and Evgen Seleznyov either side of halftime were backed up by a solid defensive performance, and have left Slovenia in need of a miracle when these teams reconvene for the second leg in Maribor on Tuesday.
Slovenia vs. Ukraine live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch Euro 2016 qualifying online
Ukraine have a commanding two-goal cushion heading into the decisive second leg of their Euro 2016 playoff in Slovenia.
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Srečko Katanec’s side will need to score at least twice if they’re to take the game into extra time, and know that conceding an away goal would likely prove terminal. After Slovenia’s failure to score in the first leg, allowing Ukraine to net in Maribor on Tuesday would mean they would have to better their aggregate tally (therefore needing to score at least four times) to qualify for next summer’s tournament in France. It’s going to be a very tough task.
Key factor: Will Slovenia be able to raise their game?
Slovenia are certainly not a bad team, with Inter Milan goalkeeper Samir Handanović, Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kevin Kampl and Fiorentina attacker Josip Iličić all quality players. However, how they perform in this match will be as much in the mind as anything else. Heading in with a big deficit to overcome, Slovenia will have to raise their game and give their all in front of their home supporters if they’re to stand any chance.
Key players: Ukraine's wingers vs. Slovenia's fullbacks
Ukraine are a fairly workmanlike outfit, but are fortunate to have two very talented wingers up top. On the left, there’s Sevilla’s Yevhen Konoplyanka; on the right, Dynamo Kyiv’s Andriy Yarmolenko. Last week Slovenia fullbacks Mišo Brečko and Bojan Jokić struggled to keep them quiet, and they’ll have to fare much better this time around -- especially with Ukraine sure to look to their wingers to provide their main attacking outlet on the counter.
Match date/time: Tues., Nov. 17, 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Ljudski vrt, Maribor, Slovenia
TV: Fox Sports 2 (US); Sportsnet One (Canada); Sky Sports 4/HD (UK)
Online: FOX Sports Go, FOX Soccer 2Go (US); Sportsnet World Now (Canada); Sky Go (U.K.)
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