Courtesy: UEFA.com

Ukraine see off challengers

Sunday, 01 February 2004

Ukraine maintained a perfect record to win UEFA European Futsal Championship qualifying Group 2 and keep alive their chances reaching a third consecutive finals when the tournament is played in February 2005 in the Czech Republic.

Solid start

Losers in the 2001 and 2003 finals to Spain and Italy respectively, Ukraine made a solid start with a 6-2 victory against group hosts Slovakia in Trnava. Ukraine were only 3-2 up early in the second half, but Sergiy Sytin scored twice and Igor Moskvychov added to his earlier goal to seal the win.

Belarus win

Elsewhere, Belarus established themselves as Ukraine's main challengers with a 4-1 win against Romania, Sergei Kouznetsov, Vladimir Levus, Viktar Ivaniutsin and Vadzim Lushkouski scoring their goals before Marian Valentin Stanciu's consolation.

Koridze treble

Serhiy Koridze was Ukraine's hat-trick scorer the next day as they overcame Romania 8-2. Fedir Pylypiv also was on target twice as the leaders won both halves 4-1.

Late leveller

Belarus kept themselves in contention but fell two points behind as a last-gasp Martin Cambal goal the day before his 29th birthday salvaged a 3-3 draw for Slovakia. Milan Pavlovic and Matúš Kunka had given the hosts a 2-1 lead following Dzmitry Kadakov's early goal, but Vadzim Lushkouski levelled on the stroke of half-time and seven minutes from the end Alexandr Chernik seemed to have given Belarus a decisive advantage before the late leveller.

Ukraine through

However, even had they held on to the lead, Belarus would still have needed a last-day victory against Ukraine, who required just a draw. Only two minutes in Serhiy Koridze put Ukraine ahead and Ramis Mansurov doubled the lead early in the second period. Viktar Ivaniutsin quickly pulled one back, but Moskvychov and Olexandr Kosenko quickly established a 4-1 lead for Ukraine that proved their margin of victory. Slovakia grabbed second place on goal difference with a 7-1 win against Romania.