SAUDI ARABIA 0-4 UKRAINE

19 June 2006

Ukraine made amends for their disappointing start to Group H when they defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0 in Hamburg on Monday, 19 June 2006.

Oleg Blokhin’s side, who had suffered defeat by the same scoreline to Spain in their opening match, look desperate to make amends in this match and began in the best possible manner.

Andriy Rusol fired Ukraine ahead in the fourth minute, while a Serhiy Rebrov wonder strike double their advantage on 36. Andriy Shevchenko headed a third just seconds after the restart, while Budweiser Man of the Match Maksym Kalinichenko got the goal his performance deserved six minutes from time.

The match:
4':After the nightmare of their opening loss to Spain, Ukraine made a dream start here. Mabrouk Zaid conceded a corner under pressure from Shevchenko and after the first kick was deflected into the side-netting, Maksym Kalinichenko delivered again and Rusol turned the ball into the net from close range.

6': Mohammed Noor slipped the ball across to Omar Al Ghamdi in the Ukraine penalty box but he lost his footing and the chance was gone.

14': Ukraine had the Saudi defence under severe pressure with a series of corners. From the third, Shevchenko's header was blocked on the line by Ahmed Dokhi and Rebrov blazed the rebound over the crossbar.

21': Ukraine kept coming forward, scenting a second goal. Shevchenko created space to get in a shot but could only direct his effort straight at Zaid. Moments later, the Chelsea-bound striker, who has been struggling for fitness, missed the opportunity to send Andriy Voronin clean through by overhitting his pass.

25': Rusol gave his goalkeeper Oleksandr Shovkovskyi a scare as he diverted a cross from Mohammed Ameen just wide of his own goal. From the ensuing corner, Hamad Al Montashari volleyed wide at the far post from a difficult angle.

36': After Voronin had fired another chance wide, Ukraine finally got their second goal as Rebrov struck from fully 30 yards. Collecting the ball from Anatoliy Tymoschuk, he turned to goal and sent a shot flying past Zaid, who seemed to slip on the greasy surface as the ball sped past him.

43': A mistake from Al Montashari let in Voronin but he flashed a low shot the wrong side of the post.

Shevchenko in on the act:
46': Ukraine needed barely 60 seconds to extend the advantage as Kalinichenko swung a free-kick into the box and Shevchenko headed into the far corner.

55': With the match threatening to resemble a shooting practice for Ukraine, Saudi coach Marcos Paqueta sought to inject fresh life into his team with the introductions of Abdulaziz Al Khathran and Malek Al Hawsawi.

64': Saudi Arabia enjoyed one or two promising moments around the Ukraine penalty area but Oleksandr Shovkovskyi remained untested and it was soon normal service resumed. Kalinichenko looked up and launched a dipping shot onto the top of the crossbar then Shevchenjo twice had sight of goal before being crowded out by defenders.

74': A neat exchange of passes around the Saudi area set up a shooting chance for Kalinichenko but Zaid was equal to it.

84': Ukraine struck again as Kalinichenko finally got his goal. Shevchenko sprinted clear down the inside-left channel and squared to the long-haired No.19 who sidefooted the ball high into the empty net.

90': Kalinichenko went close again. Ukraine may have scored four goals but it could have been twice.

In conclusion:
Ukraine are up and running after this comfortable victory in Hamburg which should serve to restore confidence in the camp after the opening loss to Spain. For Saudi Arabia, the outlook appears bleak, however, with Spain still to come.