Away goal makes Shakhtar favorite to reach UEFA Cup final
Published 01 May, 2009, 00:58
Shaktar Donetsk have secured a vital away goal in Kiev after a 1-all draw in the first ever all-Ukrainian UEFA Cup semi final.
The hosts went in front on 22 minutes. A powerful free-kick from Aleksandr Aliev saw Shakhtar defender Dmitry Chigrinsky, who was under pressure from Artyom Milevski, sliced the ball into his own net.
The team, led by Russian specialist Yury Semin, could’ve gone further in front after a long range effort from Correa, but the ball hit the far post.
Dinamo remained the dominant force on the field after the break. They could’ve doubled the score after another Aliev freekick, but Milevsky’s diving header lacked accuracy. Then Aliev could have scored himself but the ball was centimeters off target.
And that’s when Shaktar struck. Fernandinho touched the ball into the net after a cross from substitute Willian on 68 minutes, 1-1.
Dinamo had over 20 minutes to regain the lead but the guests stood firm, grabbing the vital away draw.
Now a 0-0 score in Donetsk on May 7 will see Mircea Lucescu’s men progress to the final of the European tournament for the first time in the club’s history.
Werder Bremen 0-1 Hamburg
In the other semi, Hamburg came away with a great result from Bremen, winning 1-0. Trochowski scored the winning goal for Martin Jol's side, which means Werder now need to win on the road in order to go through to the final.
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