Referee: Zubarev, Slavyansk
Linesmen: Zhurba, Andreev (both Donetsk)

Metalurh Z 0:1 Arsenal Lysenko 70 Bohush, Chelyadinskiy, Polivoy, Tiharev, Kryvtsov, Pisotskiy, Santrapinskikh (Semenenko 35, Lazarovych 71), Stepanenko, Nevmyvaka (Hay 60), Kabanov, Lutsenko Reva, Essola, Raspopov, Seleznyov, Kuznetsov, Symonenko, Benyo, Josemar (Bito 86), Zakarlyuka, Yevseev, Lysenko (Zavarov 90) Nevmyvaka 35, Stepanenko 48, Kabanov 53 Symonenko 45, Raspopov 45, Bito 93

Shots: 21 - 8
Shots on goal: 9 - 4
Corners: 5 - 4
Offsides: 1-8

The opening minutes were lively as Arsenal showed their desire to score and win by employing their usual three forwards formation. However the lack of manpower in the defense allowed hosts to use free zones for their attacks. They failed to do that though.

Arsenal had the initiative in the beginning but 20 minutes into the game it became even. There weren’t many dangerous episodes apart from the counterattack in which Pisotskiy made a great run down the right flank that ended with the cross to Kabanov who shot on the volley from 15 meters putting the ball wide. In response Seleznyov hit the post after Lysenko’s cross but the forward had strayed into offside position seconds before that.

The second half reminded the first one although there were more chances and goals. On 47 minutes Kabanov connected with Pisotskiy’s corner and Reva could only parry his shot clear. Lutsenko collected the rebound and shot from 3 meters but again hit Reva.

The next dangerous episode happened in ten minutes. Pitotskiy rushed down the right flank towards the corner of the goalkeeping area with the defender chasing him and blasted the ball powerfully hitting the sidenetting.

Metalurh closed down the opponents in their half for the first 25 minutes of the second half but couldn’t achieve anything as they lacked sharpness and couldn’t make the last pass or win the ball in the air after numerous crosses.

Arsenal responded on 70 minutes when Zakarlyuka made a pinpoint pass from the right flank with the outer side of his foot for Lysenko who elegantly headed it into the far corner – 0:1.

Metalurh were unable to create anything dangerous in the remaining 20 minutes and Arsenal seemed unwilling to push forward without need.

Anatoliy Chantsev, Metalurh Zaporizhya head coach:

- It is very bad to lose at home before our supporters’ eyes. We have no excuses for that. We had advantage and goal opportunities but still lost. Some players that were substituted didn’t fulfill their assignments and didn’t show combative spirit. This is disappointing. We wanted to make a present for the city and the supporters but unfortunately we couldn’t. Arsenal converted their rare chance which proves their class. We had young players in the squad who could defeat our opponents just with their desire. I don’t understand how our player could give up the fight so easily when we conceded the goal. The whole team is responsible for that goal including myself

Oleksandr Zavarov, Arsenal head coach:

- We didn’t begin the match well and allowed our opponents to have many chances near our goal. This plagues us and I cannot defeat it yet. I always tell my players that they need to be attentive since the first minutes. The play wasn’t spectacular today but we needed the result. I thank the players who presented me the three points as the birthday gift. In return they shall have two days off after this victory. We plan to take all points in the upcoming three games.