Arsenal - Karpaty 2:0. The Gunners are getting closer to the Intertoto Cup

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Arsenal 2:0 Karpaty Seleznyov (17, Yevseev), Yevseev 74 Reva, Seleznyov, Lysenko (Danishevskiy 86), Zakarlyuka, Josemar (Zavarov 80), Starhorodskiy (Khomin 83), Essola, Symonenko, Benyo, Yevseev, Kuznetsov Nalepa, Laschenkov (Petrivskiy 46), Oschypko (Tkachuk 12), Feschuk, Kirilchik, Godwin, Kobin, Pshenychnykh, Ischenko, Fedoriv, Khudobyak (Kozhanov 65) Symonenko 56, Lysenko 63

Match statistics

Arsenal - Karpaty

11 (5) Shots 16 (9)

4 (3) Shots on goal 4 (2)

4 (2) Corners 8 (4)

4 (2) Offsides 0

8 (4) Fouls 12 (9)

First half numbers are in brackets

Man of the match – Yevhen YEVSEEV (Arsenal defender)

Despite the recent run of defeats, Karpaty started the game actively and without excess caution. However not all players that Yaremchenko put in the starting lineup were able to get into the game. The coach explained later that Oschypko’s substitution just 12 minutes into the game was caused by his lack of devotion. Oschypko was not the only one among visitors who couldn’t play well and this could explain their defeat.

Karpaty defense once again wasn’t good. On 7 minutes Josemar outplayed Laschenkov in the penalty area and passed to Seleznyov but Arsenal top scorer hit the post. The ball fell to Lysenko but the referee signaled offside.

On 17 minutes Karpaty defenders made another mistake and this time everything was in accordance with the rules. Yevseev found Seleznyov with a long pass from his own half. The forward got ahead of the defender and lobbed the ball on the volley over Nalepa who rushed out of his goal – 1:0.

Arsenal defense was much tighter and didn’t allow Lviv forwards to approach the goal. Karpaty had to use long shots which weren’t difficult for Reva to catch. When visitors managed to enter the penalty area they often were out of luck as Laschenkov shot wide after the corner and then Feschuk’s header went off target.

Arsenal were mostly defending but had many more dangerous chances on counterattacks. On 38 minutes Lysenko dribbled past Laschenkov and went one-on-one with the keeper but blasted the ball over the bar. Five minutes later Seleznyov broke clear of the defenders but this time the goalkeeper did better and rushed out in time to stop the ball.

Nothing changed significantly in the second half. Karpaty were more than a match for their opponents but mistakes of some players and bad luck (Kobin alone had three chances to score) prevented them from avoiding the defeat. Everything became clear on 74 minutes when Yevseev put the ball home after the corner adding the goal to his assist in the first half.

Valeriy Yaremchenko, Karpaty head coach:

- I have to admit that our team still has many problems. Our mistakes in the defense were crucial for the result of the match. We have several young players who played good for some time. However the experienced footballers who had to play the decisive role today didn’t live up to our expectations. Players were making elementary technical and tactical mistakes that affected not only our defense but also attack. I think we have to make radical changes to our squad in the summer.

Oleksandr Zavarov, Arsenal head coach:

- We knew that Karpaty were difficult opponents and could present us some surprises. However I think we were in control of the game and got a deserved victory. Arsenal management once again wanted to make a holiday for the team supporters and organized the show program. If not for the holidays, there could be more supporters on this match. We also wanted to please them with our play but football is not always spectacular. This time it was rather laborious and our team actions were the foundation of our victory.

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