World Cup debutants Ukraine pushed their way through to round two after a controversial penalty gave them a 1-0 win over Tunisia in Berlin. Both sides needed a win to guarantee a place in the second round after differing results in their opening games but it was thanks to Chelsea superstar Shevchenko that Ukraine won their second game in this their first tournament. The victory was by the narrowest of margins despite Tunisia being reduced to ten men at the end of the first half.
Confidence was high before the game for the Europeans who despite a drubbing at the hands of Spain destroyed Saudi Arabia 4-0 in their second match of the tournament. They started with the same team as against the Saudi’s knowing that a win or a draw would probably be enough.
Tunisia who were unlucky not to win either of their opening two group games fielded the same side which took the lead against Spain but were eventually beaten 3-1. They were hoping their experience of previous World Cup’s would aid them and they started the better of the two sides.
The game in truth was of poor quality with both sides needing a result nerves looked to be jangling early on as the ball was given away far too often and it was almost nervousness which gave away the first goal as Jaidi’s backheel was intercepted by Voronin who’s strike went just wide of the goal.
Because of the poor quality of the game chances were distinctly lacking as both sides decided that giving nothing away way their key to victory. Chedli had a chance on fourteen minutes but his volley from the edge of the area was always rising.
As the Ukraine began to come into the game it was they who created the first real opening as on 20 minutes Anatoliy Tymoshchuk broke free down the left before driving a well struck shot towards goal. The Tunisian keeper made a comfortable save in the end and the left winger would have been disappointed with his effort had he looked up as four team mates were waiting in the box for the cross.
From this point Ukraine were in the ascendancy and a flashing drive from a long way out nearly gave them a lead. It was Shalaev who hit the shot but the ball was struck too close to the keeper who was able to tip the ball over the bar. With Ukraine pressing it became evident that they would create something sooner or later and they were given a hand when Jaziri was sent off for his second bookable offence. His first was for a blatant dive four minutes in and the caution on half time was deserving of a card as he slid in late on Tymoshchuk.
In the second period despite their deficit it was Tunisia who started the better and created the better openings. Yari’s free kick was deflected over by the wall and there were suspicions of a hand from the Tunisian’s but just a corner was given with the ball landing on the roof of the net.
Two minutes later the African Cup Winners of 2004 once more came close as Haggui headed a corner just over from close range. The defender was disappointed with his effort as he rose unmarked in the area but could not direct the ball into the net.
Two minutes later the controversial moment of the game took place as Ukraine were awarded a penalty after Shevchenko went down in the penalty area. Tunisia were furious with the decision after being denied a penalty earlier TV replays showed that after rounding the keeper in a tight spot Shevchenko was felled by his own left leg not the outstretched foot of the defender.
Regardless, the Ukraine front man dusted himself off and placed the ball to the keepers left sending the experience Boumnijel the wrong way to give his side the lead.
Tunisia undoubtedly feeling hard done by could create little to impact on the game however and two minutes from the end they were nearly 2-0 down after an excellent move between Gusin and Voronin, the Tunisian stopper however was able to charge down the shot from ten yards after an excellent one two on the edge of the area.
Despite the keepers heroics for large periods of the game, Tunisia were sent home after failing to win at the World Cup yet again whilst Ukraine celebrated their victory realizing that a battle with the first placed side in Group G was in their sights.
Confidence was high before the game for the Europeans who despite a drubbing at the hands of Spain destroyed Saudi Arabia 4-0 in their second match of the tournament. They started with the same team as against the Saudi’s knowing that a win or a draw would probably be enough.
Tunisia who were unlucky not to win either of their opening two group games fielded the same side which took the lead against Spain but were eventually beaten 3-1. They were hoping their experience of previous World Cup’s would aid them and they started the better of the two sides.
The game in truth was of poor quality with both sides needing a result nerves looked to be jangling early on as the ball was given away far too often and it was almost nervousness which gave away the first goal as Jaidi’s backheel was intercepted by Voronin who’s strike went just wide of the goal.
Because of the poor quality of the game chances were distinctly lacking as both sides decided that giving nothing away way their key to victory. Chedli had a chance on fourteen minutes but his volley from the edge of the area was always rising.
As the Ukraine began to come into the game it was they who created the first real opening as on 20 minutes Anatoliy Tymoshchuk broke free down the left before driving a well struck shot towards goal. The Tunisian keeper made a comfortable save in the end and the left winger would have been disappointed with his effort had he looked up as four team mates were waiting in the box for the cross.
From this point Ukraine were in the ascendancy and a flashing drive from a long way out nearly gave them a lead. It was Shalaev who hit the shot but the ball was struck too close to the keeper who was able to tip the ball over the bar. With Ukraine pressing it became evident that they would create something sooner or later and they were given a hand when Jaziri was sent off for his second bookable offence. His first was for a blatant dive four minutes in and the caution on half time was deserving of a card as he slid in late on Tymoshchuk.
In the second period despite their deficit it was Tunisia who started the better and created the better openings. Yari’s free kick was deflected over by the wall and there were suspicions of a hand from the Tunisian’s but just a corner was given with the ball landing on the roof of the net.
Two minutes later the African Cup Winners of 2004 once more came close as Haggui headed a corner just over from close range. The defender was disappointed with his effort as he rose unmarked in the area but could not direct the ball into the net.
Two minutes later the controversial moment of the game took place as Ukraine were awarded a penalty after Shevchenko went down in the penalty area. Tunisia were furious with the decision after being denied a penalty earlier TV replays showed that after rounding the keeper in a tight spot Shevchenko was felled by his own left leg not the outstretched foot of the defender.
Regardless, the Ukraine front man dusted himself off and placed the ball to the keepers left sending the experience Boumnijel the wrong way to give his side the lead.
Tunisia undoubtedly feeling hard done by could create little to impact on the game however and two minutes from the end they were nearly 2-0 down after an excellent move between Gusin and Voronin, the Tunisian stopper however was able to charge down the shot from ten yards after an excellent one two on the edge of the area.
Despite the keepers heroics for large periods of the game, Tunisia were sent home after failing to win at the World Cup yet again whilst Ukraine celebrated their victory realizing that a battle with the first placed side in Group G was in their sights.