Ukrainians staring at last chance
Source: Agencies |
June 17, 2012, Sunday
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After being booed for its lackluster performance in the rain-soaked 0-2 loss to France, co-host Ukraine has one last chance to get it all right and win back the hearts of its home crowd.
The daily Segodnya called Friday's loss "Rain and tears," adding "The second miracle in a row didn't happen" and "Qualifying ... is now in real doubt for us" despite the much-acclaimed win over Sweden.
But beating England on Tuesday would send Ukraine to the Euro 2012 quarterfinals. In a highly unlikely scenario where France loses to Sweden on at least a four-goal difference, a draw would be enough for Ukraine to advance with England.
Coach Oleg Blokhin led the team to the quarterfinals of its only previous major championship - the 2006 World Cup. And the players believe they can do it again.
"It's possible to get a 1-0 win," midfielder Anatoliy Tymoshchuk said. "We need to play more compactly, perhaps control the ball more ... and go forward on counterattacks."
Blokhin knows his team's weaknesses, with the defense as the Achilles tendon. In 12 warmup matches before the European Championship, Ukraine conceded 23 goals. Because of a lack of alternatives, Blokhin is using Dynamo Kiev midfielder Oleh Gusev as a right back.
If Ukraine is to extend its presence in the championship, it not only has to overcome England, but also its poor record at the Donbass Arena in what could be veteran Andriy Shevchenko's last international game.
The Donetsk stadium hasn't been a lucky ground for the national team, which has failed to win any of its matches here. Ukraine lost 0-1 to Greece in World Cup qualifying shortly after the stadium opened in 2009. It then drew 1-1 with the Netherlands in 2010 and was lost 1-4 to France a year ago.
The daily Segodnya called Friday's loss "Rain and tears," adding "The second miracle in a row didn't happen" and "Qualifying ... is now in real doubt for us" despite the much-acclaimed win over Sweden.
But beating England on Tuesday would send Ukraine to the Euro 2012 quarterfinals. In a highly unlikely scenario where France loses to Sweden on at least a four-goal difference, a draw would be enough for Ukraine to advance with England.
Coach Oleg Blokhin led the team to the quarterfinals of its only previous major championship - the 2006 World Cup. And the players believe they can do it again.
"It's possible to get a 1-0 win," midfielder Anatoliy Tymoshchuk said. "We need to play more compactly, perhaps control the ball more ... and go forward on counterattacks."
Blokhin knows his team's weaknesses, with the defense as the Achilles tendon. In 12 warmup matches before the European Championship, Ukraine conceded 23 goals. Because of a lack of alternatives, Blokhin is using Dynamo Kiev midfielder Oleh Gusev as a right back.
If Ukraine is to extend its presence in the championship, it not only has to overcome England, but also its poor record at the Donbass Arena in what could be veteran Andriy Shevchenko's last international game.
The Donetsk stadium hasn't been a lucky ground for the national team, which has failed to win any of its matches here. Ukraine lost 0-1 to Greece in World Cup qualifying shortly after the stadium opened in 2009. It then drew 1-1 with the Netherlands in 2010 and was lost 1-4 to France a year ago.
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