Courtesy: UEFA

First points for Ukraine

Tuesday, 15 February 2005

By Greg Demetriou at the CEZ Arena

Ukraine 4-1 Netherlands
Ukraine got their 2004 UEFA European Futsal Championship campaign back on track with a deserved victory against the Netherlands.

Experience tells

Gennadiy Lysenchuk's men had been beaten 2-1 by the Czech Republic in yesterday's opening Group A fixtures but picked up their first points by using all their experience against a determined Dutch side. Serhiy Sytin scored twice but it was the team display that stood out.

Duo absent

Ukraine were without the suspended Oleh Shaytanov after his red card yesterday while the Dutch were missing veteran goalscorer Edwin Grünholz after his ankle injury in their 5-3 reverse at the hands of Russia.

Koridze efforts

Of the few early opportunities, Ukraine's Serhiy Koridze was the main instigator - trying his luck from a number of distances. On five minutes Dutch coach Vic Hermans threw in his younger stars. They seemed to energise the Oranje attack, particularly Zaid El Morabiti.

Great goal

However, Ukrainian always looked the more clinical and Pylypiv showed his confidence when he ran from the halfway line to blast in from ten metres in the 13th minute. The goal seemed to sap the Dutch confidence and Ukrainian youngster Sytin took full advantage with a neat finish following a one-two with Olexiy Kudlay.

Comeback possible

However, the Netherlands had shown their spirit in the first game and a fightback again looked on the cards early in the second half. They got the goal their energy and commitment deserved three minutes after the restart. Antoine Merlino received the ball with his back to goal and laid it off for Thies to thump into the net.

Chance missed

Thies soon had a chance to restore parity but could not get his shot away in time and the game returned to the tight contest seen in much of the first half. However, with the scores so close, there was every chance of an equaliser.

Koridze save

It seemed to have come when a Dutch breakaway with five minutes on the clock saw Abdellah Idlaasri feed El Morabiti, who rounded Popov before firing goalwards. However, the quick-thinking Koridze had read the danger and cleared off the line

All or nothing

With three minutes remaining, the Netherlands put on a fifth attacker in the shape of Merlino but it was to backfire as Sytin was able to capitalise on an empty net for his second of the night. However, Koridze would have the last word with another breakaway goal - the first goal at these finals for the top scorer in 2001 and 2003.

Starting lineup

Ukraine: Olexiy Popov, Serhiy Koridze, Olexiy Kudlay, Serhiy Sytin and Fedir Pylypiv.
Netherlands: Patrick Thomassen, Antoine Merlino, Cornelis Thies, Maximiliaan Tjaden and Calvin Blankendal.