Ukraine picked up their first ever World Cup points with a comprehensive victory against a poor Saudi Arabia side who head home before the knock out stages once more. Rusol, Rebrov, Shevchenko and Kalinichenko all got their hands on World Cup goal bonuses as Saudi Arabia surrendered during a game of poor quality.
After an uplifting and surprising performance against Tunisia in the first game, the Saudi’s made no changes to their side hoping that substitute Sami Al Jaber could weave his magic from the bench again after scoring in the 2-2 draw in their last game.
Ukraine, humiliated by Spain in their first match, stuck with the same side hoping to use their experience to steer them through this one. After heading an impressive group in qualification they needed big performance from Rebrov and Chelsea’s Shevchenko if they wanted to come away with anything.
Ukraine were on top early on due to some poor play by Saudi Arabia and an unnecessary corner given away by Zaid was punished within the first five minutes. The ball floated in was met by Rusol who with his knee steered the ball beyond the despairing goalie to give his side an early advantage.
This didn't stop the Saudi’s from mounting a fight back and within a moment they were almost back on level terms through Aziz who headed over when heavily challenged by defenders.
Moments later The Saudi’s survived another defensive lapses as two chances went begging in from of goal. After a corner was swung in Rusol had his header cleared off the line, Shevchenko was unable to balance himself enough to find the net with the rebound. The Ukrainian captain will be disappointed with his effort as he was unchallenged and fired miles over the bar from close range.
Things got better for his team mates however and Rebrov made it 2-0 with a great long range strike which left the keeper completely helpless. Replays however showed that the keeper may have got there had he not slipped when trying to change direction.
No consolation however to the Arabian team who were struggling with not only the conditions but the quality of their opponents play.
A chance just before the break for Voronin was not capitalized on as the Saudi Arabian’s made yet more mistakes across the back line and the shot which skidded just wide was the warning of a long second half unless improvement could be found.
No cure for their inability to clear the ball was developed however and it was Captain Shevchenko who profited the most. Just a minute after the restart he was allowed a free header in the penalty area to put his side 3-0 up and put them back in with a chance of making the knockout stages. Poor defending from the Saudi’s again as the keeper was left with no chance from close range.
The Ukrainians were by not being allowed far too much space and could have made it four much sooner had it not been for bad shooting for Voronin who twice squandered chances to get him name on the score sheet.
Number four did however arrive courtesy of some good play down the left from Shevchenko once more who squared for Kalinichenko to wrap up the win.
A solid performance all round made the eastern Europeans look far better than in their original group game but the points and goals were enough to ensure confidence going into their finale with Tunisia. For the Saudi Arabians, their next game was about pride and restoring some after a torrid performance.
After an uplifting and surprising performance against Tunisia in the first game, the Saudi’s made no changes to their side hoping that substitute Sami Al Jaber could weave his magic from the bench again after scoring in the 2-2 draw in their last game.
Ukraine, humiliated by Spain in their first match, stuck with the same side hoping to use their experience to steer them through this one. After heading an impressive group in qualification they needed big performance from Rebrov and Chelsea’s Shevchenko if they wanted to come away with anything.
Ukraine were on top early on due to some poor play by Saudi Arabia and an unnecessary corner given away by Zaid was punished within the first five minutes. The ball floated in was met by Rusol who with his knee steered the ball beyond the despairing goalie to give his side an early advantage.
This didn't stop the Saudi’s from mounting a fight back and within a moment they were almost back on level terms through Aziz who headed over when heavily challenged by defenders.
Moments later The Saudi’s survived another defensive lapses as two chances went begging in from of goal. After a corner was swung in Rusol had his header cleared off the line, Shevchenko was unable to balance himself enough to find the net with the rebound. The Ukrainian captain will be disappointed with his effort as he was unchallenged and fired miles over the bar from close range.
Things got better for his team mates however and Rebrov made it 2-0 with a great long range strike which left the keeper completely helpless. Replays however showed that the keeper may have got there had he not slipped when trying to change direction.
No consolation however to the Arabian team who were struggling with not only the conditions but the quality of their opponents play.
A chance just before the break for Voronin was not capitalized on as the Saudi Arabian’s made yet more mistakes across the back line and the shot which skidded just wide was the warning of a long second half unless improvement could be found.
No cure for their inability to clear the ball was developed however and it was Captain Shevchenko who profited the most. Just a minute after the restart he was allowed a free header in the penalty area to put his side 3-0 up and put them back in with a chance of making the knockout stages. Poor defending from the Saudi’s again as the keeper was left with no chance from close range.
The Ukrainians were by not being allowed far too much space and could have made it four much sooner had it not been for bad shooting for Voronin who twice squandered chances to get him name on the score sheet.
Number four did however arrive courtesy of some good play down the left from Shevchenko once more who squared for Kalinichenko to wrap up the win.
A solid performance all round made the eastern Europeans look far better than in their original group game but the points and goals were enough to ensure confidence going into their finale with Tunisia. For the Saudi Arabians, their next game was about pride and restoring some after a torrid performance.