Vladimir Koval

Vladimir Koval (Ukrainian: Володимир Романович Коваль; born February 28, 1975) is a Ukrainian former footballer, and co-founder of FC Ukraine United of the Canadian Soccer League.

Vladimir Koval
Personal information
Full name Vladimir Romanovich Koval
Date of birth (1975-02-28) February 28, 1975
Place of birth Lviv, Ukraine SSR, Soviet Union
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1993 FC Hazovyk Komarno 6 (0)
1995 Toronto Italia
1996–1997 Toronto Croatia
1998 Mississauga Eagles P.S.C.
1999 Toronto Croatia
2000 North York Astros
2001 Toronto Croatia
2007–2014 FC Ukraine United
Managerial career
2013– FC Ukraine United (director)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

As a player Koval initially began his professional career in the Ukraine, where he later emigrated to Canada in the 1990s.[1] Abroad he played in the Canadian National Soccer League (CNSL) notably with Toronto Italia, and Toronto Croatia. He continued playing in the CNSL's successor league the Canadian Professional Soccer League until 2001 with Toronto Croatia. In 2007, he co-founded FC Ukraine United, and fielded the team in the Ontario Soccer League. After securing the necessary capital in 2016 the club was granted a franchise in the Canadian Soccer League.[2]

In 2023, Vladimir Koval was selected to represent Team Canada at the 2023 FIFG Footgolf World Cup.[3]

Playing career

Koval attended Karpaty Lviv Soccer Academy and began his professional career with FC Hazovyk Komarno in the Ukrainian Second League.[4][5] In 1995, he went abroad to Canada to play with Toronto Italia in the Canadian National Soccer League. In 1996, he signed with Toronto Croatia and played in the Canadian International Soccer League (Puma League). In 1998, he played with the Mississauga Eagles P.S.C. of the Canadian Professional Soccer League. He made his debut for the club on May 31, 1998 against York Region Shooters.[6]

In 1999, he returned to Toronto Croatia and made his return on June 7, 1999 against St. Catharines Wolves.[7] The following season he signed with North York Astros.[8] He returned to play with Croatia for the 2001 season.[9] In 2007, he played in the Ontario Soccer League for FC Ukraine United.

Administrative career

In 2007, Koval along with Evgen Ishchak, and Andrei Malychenkov formed FC Ukraine United in order to accommodate and combine talent from the former Soviet Union located in Canada.[10][7] The club originally played at the indoor level at the Soccer City, and ultimately entered the Ontario Soccer League.[11] Originally he primarily served as the general manager, vice president, and occasionally as a footballer. The organization managed to win several accolades, and secure promotion to the Premier Central Division.[12]

In 2016, the club acquired the necessary funds in order to apply for a franchise in the Canadian Soccer League.[13][14] The club successfully made the transition to the professional level after receiving approval from the league ownership at the annual general meeting of team owners.[15] In 2018, he served in the capacity of an assistant coach to Malychenkov. Since the club's entry into the professional realm the team has secured the First Division title in 2018, and the Second Division championship in 2017.[16]

Honors

Toronto Croatia

  • CISL Championship (1): 1996

References
  1. iSport.ua (2016-01-23). "Канадская лига может пополнится украинской командой". iSport.ua. Retrieved 2019-12-02.
  2. ""ФК Воркута", "Украина юнайтед" и югославское дерби - немного о канадской футбольной экзотике". Sports.ru. June 29, 2018. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  3. "CANADA". FIFG World Cup. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  4. "Ukraine United Soccer Club". 2014-07-11. Archived from the original on July 11, 2014. Retrieved 2016-11-05.
  5. "Коваль Владимир Романович, 14.02.1975, футболист". footballfacts.ru. Retrieved 2016-11-05.
  6. Glover, Robin. "York Region Shooters vs Mississauga Eagles". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2016-11-05.
  7. Turnbull, John (2013-09-25). "Canada | Far west of the Carpathians, Ukraine unites : The Global Game". The Global Game. Archived from the original on September 25, 2013. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  8. Glover, Robin. "Wednesday July 5, 2000 Toronto Olympians vs North York Astros". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2016-11-05.
  9. Glover, Robin. "Friday June 8th, 2001 Toronto Croatia vs York Region Shooters". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2016-11-05.
  10. Sheika, Alexey (August 11, 2016). "Украинское дерби в канадском Зверополисе". www.matchday.ua. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  11. источники, Внешние (2016-03-14). "FC Ukraine United: Український острів у канадських футбольних водах". www.ua-football.com (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  12. "Украинские клубы зажигают в канадской любительской лиге". UA.Tribuna.com. October 15, 2018. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  13. Adamson, Stan (January 9, 2016). "CHANGING UKRAINIAN PRESENCE IN CANADIAN SOCCER….CSL bid by FC Ukraine United | Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Retrieved 2016-11-05.
  14. "В чемпионате Канады по футболу сыграет клуб Ukraine United Depo.ua". www.depo.ua (in Russian). April 22, 2016. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  15. Adamson, Stan (April 3, 2016). "CSL SET FOR MAY KICKOFF | Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Retrieved 2016-11-05.
  16. "Футболісти з Рівненщини виграли регулярний Чемпіонат Канади (ФОТО) | ВСЕ - Про спорт". 2018-10-29. Archived from the original on October 29, 2018. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
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