Kryvbas - Zakarpattya 1:1. Kryvbas home draw streak continues

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Kryviy Rih. Metalurh Stadium.
Attendance: 6 000 (according to PFL information)

Referee: Derevynskiy, Kyiv
Linesmen: A. Valenko, E. Valenko (both Lviv)

Kryvbas 1:1 Zakarpattya Motuz 43 Platon 67 Hidi, Melnyk, Melaschenko (Sachko 71), Matyukhin, Bartulovic, Bylykbashi, Bulku (Kotelyukh 82), Lysytskiy, Rozhkov, Pashaev, Shahoyko (Motuz 39) Babenko, Kraja, Chyzhevskiy, Donets, Shopin, Shuha, Babych, Platon, Yesin, Mykulyak (Ksyonz 64), Yarosh (Nevuche 46, Buriy 85) Donets 3, Babych 37, Shopin 82, Platon 88

Once again Kryvbas proved their inability to use goalscoring opportunities. In the very beginning of the match Melaschenko had a great chance to score but couldn’t beat Uzhhorod keeper after going one-on-one with him. Generally the play was active and hosts had several opportunities to take the lead but their finishing was inaccurate. Zakarpattya didn’t enjoy a good start with Yesin being the only one able to present any problems to Hidi. Ten minutes before the halftime Melaschenko once again found himself in a good position but didn’t use this chance to trouble Babenko either. When Motuz came in from the bench home fans began to hope that the deadlock would soon be broken. The forward lived up to their expectations and managed to score two minutes before the halftime break after Bylykbashi’s assist.

Zakarpattya didn’t change their tactics after the break while Krvybas significantly decreased their activity. They still controlled the ball more but didn’t threaten the visitors’ goal. Uzhhorod players tried to find their luck in counterattacks but these happened too rarely. In the middle of the second half Melaschenko wasted yet another opportunity to put his name on the scoreboard as he blasted the ball over the bar from several meters after the goalkeeper’s mistake. Eventually he was replaced with Vasyl Sachko who also failed to impress with his performance. But before this substitution Zakarpattya managed to equalize. The goal came in suddenly. It was obvious that Kryvbas were too relaxed and one blunder cost them a goal. In the remaining time hosts tried to improve the situation but were held back for a draw.

Volodymyr Sharan, FC Zakarpattya acting head coach:

-Of course the absence of four key players affected our performance. The whole first half was disastrous for us. However we talked with the players during the break and improved our play a little. It is good we managed to draw this match. We were lucky as Kryvbas had two or three opportunities to secure their victory.

Oleh Taran, FC Kryvbas head coach:

-Tough luck! We had to secure the victory in the first half but didn’t use lots of chances. How many more chances to recover should we give to some players? Melaschenko and Bartulovic both had a terrible match. I think we will be able to avoid relegation but I want it to happen a bit earlier. We also want to please our fans with a home victory. Even I as a coach feel psychological pressure. But I hope we will win at home soon.

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