Zorya - Metalurh D 1:1. A bird in hand to each side

Print

Luhansk. Avangard Stadium.
Attendance: 10 000 (according to PFL information)

Referee: Derevynskiy, Kyiv
Linesmen: Boklazhko, Shamich (both Kyiv)

Zorya 1:1 Metalurh D Nwoha 55 Skoba 32 (o.g.) Tlumak, Dunjic, Khramtsov, Polovkov, Shevchuk, Vorobey, Burduli (Tsimakuridze 68), Antonov, Nwoha, Babay (Brovkin 84), Skoba Disljenkovic, Danilov, Bilozor, Cruijff, Bulut, Arakelyan, Danylovskiy, Tkachenko (Romanenko 77), Sytnik (Sapay 88), Fernandes (Gvozdenovic 73), Tymchenko Polovkov 76 Cruijff 70

Zorya were more active in the beginning of the first half. They had more ball possession and sometimes created sharp attacks. On 6 minutes Vorobey dribbled past several defenders, cut inside and shot with power into the far corner but Disljenkovic reacted well and turned it behind. On 11 minutes the ball went to Shevchuk after several ricochets and he shot on the volley putting it over the bar although he had time to stop it and prepare his effort better.

After a slight pause Zorya had another opportunity on 22 minutes when first Babay and then Burduli shot on goal but the first shot was blocked by the defender and the second went higher of the goal. Hosts continued to have the advantage for some time more but then visitors took over the initiative.

On 31 minutes Danylovskiy made a dangerous long shot from 22 meters and Tlumak had to show his skill turning the ball for the corner. In the next attack Metalurh won the corner and after it was taken, Skoba headed the ball into the back of his own net – 0:1.

In the end of the first half Metalurh organized a good attack through the right flank and Tlumak once again had to leap to stop the header after the flank cross.

Zorya started the second half very energetically but could concede once again when two defenders slipped at the same time and Fernandes shot with power from the corner of the six-yard box but the goalkeeper was there to stop the ball with his feet.

On 56 minutes Zorya took the corner and Nwoha headed it in on the back post – 1:1. One minute later Vorobey could take his team ahead after Nwoha ran with the ball for 30 meters and then passed it to Dmytro. Vorobey’s shot was powerful and accurate but Disjlenkovic saved it after an incredible leap.

Neither side was willing to take risks in the last twenty minutes of the match and both seemed content with the draw. As they say, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Metalurh got a point away and for Zorya it was the first home match that they didn’t lose this spring.

Nikola Kostov, Metalurh Donetsk head coach:

- I think my team played well in the first half when we scored. The second half was worse as there was panic after we conceded the goal. The second half wasn’t as bright as the second one. We used long passes and such play is not very spectacular. Today all team battle for points. I congratulate my players but they clearly didn’t have time to recover after Wednesday’s game against Dynamo. Checher and Kosyrin are key players of the squad and their absence was felt. We would have more possibilities with them on the pitch.

Anatoliy Volobuev, Zorya head coach:

- We started the game quite good but after the goal we switched to long passes and played without the midfield. I don’t want my team to play such football. I am happy with the second half as we equalized and had the advantage. Our team is in the making. We also had problems with the lineup as Havryushov couldn’t play in accordance with his contract and Tselykh fell ill yesterday. We had problems but we saved the match. The players’ devotion was overwhelming, except for the last twenty minutes of the first half.

Comments: