Ukrainian Premier League Honors Best Player and Coach for Round 27
The Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) has announced its standout performers for matchday 27, with Obolon Kyiv striker Taras Lyakh and Shakhtar Donetsk manager Arda Turan receiving the top accolades. Both earned recognition for exceptional contributions during the latest round of fixtures, which also saw Shakhtar secure the league title ahead of schedule.
Taras Lyakh, who came off the bench in the second half against Epitsentr, scored a crucial brace that salvaged a 2-2 draw for his side. His performance edged out Shakhtar midfielder Izaki Silva in the race for the player of the round honor. Rounding out the top five nominees were:
- Carlos Rojas (Epitsentr)
- Lassina Traore (Shakhtar)
- Oleksandr Kemkin (Kryvbas)
Shakhtar boss Arda Turan was named coach of the round after his team delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over Poltava. Goals came from Kryskiv, Izaki (who netted twice), and Traore. This result clinched the UPL championship for Shakhtar, capping off a dominant season-long campaign.
Who Taras Lyakh and Arda Turan outperformed:
- Taras Lyakh edged out Izaki Silva
- Arda Turan beat Patrick van Leeuwen (Kryvbas) and Ruslan Rotan (Polissya)
The Team of the Round features players from nine different clubs. Kryvbas and Shakhtar each contributed two representatives, while LNZ, Polissya, Dynamo, Epitsentr, Kolos, Oleksandriya, and Obolon supplied one apiece. The lineup, arranged in a 4-4-2 formation, is as follows: Kemkin - Yurchets, Muravskyi, Sarapiy, Dubinchak - Rojas, Rrapaj, Izaki, Ndiaga - Traore, Lyakh.
Domestic analysts highlighted 25 players and 9 coaches in their match reviews. Meanwhile, Metalist 1925 and Epitsentr both squandered leads in stoppage time, despite Mladen Bartulovic's side holding a one-goal advantage. The Poltava-based team had been two goals up early in the second half but failed to maintain their edge. Dynamo, playing without Ponomarenko, also dropped points in a goalless draw against LNZ, leaving them outside the top three.
Matchday 27 of the UPL not only produced memorable moments but also underscored individual and coaching excellence, while shaping the championship landscape ahead. The recognition of Taras Lyakh and Arda Turan highlights their significant impact on their teams' performances and reflects the growing competitiveness within Ukrainian football. This could prove pivotal in the battle for top positions in the rounds to come.
As the Ukrainian Premier League continues to showcase thrilling performances, the recognition of top talents is becoming a hallmark of the season. For a deeper look at the standout players and coaches from previous matchdays, including the impressive accolades from matchday 23, check out our detailed coverage on the league's best performers here.