Anatoly Byshovets: The Ukrainians Were Obviously Better!

The Ukrainian national soccer team has taken another step toward division championship by defeating the Russian National team 3:2 in the start-up game of the 2000 European Cup prelims. No one doubted Ukrainians would win, even experienced Russian journalists were skeptical about their country’s experimental team roster and battle readiness.

The host team, coached by Yosyf Sabo, also had its problems. Oleh Luzhny, the most experienced right wing back, was injured during the game with Prague Sparta in the League of Champions and was benched for the game against Russia. Vitaly Kosovsky, halfback, strained a muscle just before the game and coaches had to find an adequate substitute. Team captain Yuri Kalytvyntsev and Vladyslav Vashchyk still suffer from recent injuries. The latter though went out to the field in the starting lineup and played a good game.

In its turn, the Russian team lacked Igor Dobrovolsky with his lightning-fast dashes and constant readiness to score. Russian head coach Anatoly Byshovets admitted that the Ukrainian players were obviously stronger and better that day. One could see it from how they played. But then, the Russians did not expect Sabo to move back the dangerous duet of Serhiy Rebrov and Andriy Shevchenko, sending out Serhiy Tkachenko, currently playing for Moscow Torpedo.

Moreover, our players started pressing from the very first minute of the game, and their opponents failed to contain them. The host team was always one step in front of the guests, sending Rebrov and Shevchenko to the fast-breaks. In other words, the Ukrainian National Team made use of Valery Lobanovsky’s time-tested tactic: overpower the opponents in the beginning and score a quick goal.

The first goal was really quick, scored in the eighteenth minute. Yuri Dmytrulin earned a free kick after being illegally body checked. Rebrov accurately headed the ball to the 11 meters point. Andriy Shevchenko out - jumped his personal guard Yuri Kovtun, in an acrobatic lead sending the ball flying to Serhiy Popov of Donetsk, who used his head to put the ball in the net. The next goal came instantly. After about ten minutes of the game, Ukrainian defenders stole the ball from the Russians and forwarded it to Vashchuk, who took it all the way to the other end of the field and gave an outstanding pass to Skachenko. The latter took his time and then threw the ball over Dmytro Kharin, scoring another goal making it 2:0.

It seemed that after half-time our players would parlay their success and continue pressing. But unfortunately, Mostovoy, who went out after half-time, dashed through Kovaliov and Dmytrulin and they were forced to violate the rules to stop him. Given a free kick, Mostovoy addressed the ball to Yevgeny Varlamov, who scored a goal, punishing the defense.

That was the time everybody noticed the players got tired because of huge psychological pressure. The Russians were first to buckle. In the safe situation Kovtun passed back and Rebrov intercepted. He outplayed the goalkeeper and fell because of an illegal body check. After a short hesitation the referee kicked Kharin (goalie) out of the game and pointed to the 11 meter penalty shot point. Rebrov was accurate and scored the third goal.

The game, now slow, seemed to be coming to end with a considerable count (Rebrov could have scored the fourth goal, but unfortunately the ball hit the post). And as usual, if you do not score, your opponents will. Vashchuk’s mistake resulted a penalty free shot, perfectly executed by Mostovoy from the left wing. Of course, 3:2 is also a victory, but I think Sabo’s team will have to work on their standard situation defense. The beginning is good, let’s see what the end will be like.