Euro 2009 (U-21) qualifying. Ukraine - Liechtenstein 5:0. Choosy Zaporizhya

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Zaporizhya. Slavutych Arena Stadium

Referee: Lasha Silagava (Georgia)
Linesmen: Guram Chigoridze, Besik Chichinadze (both Georgia)

Ukraine U-21 5:0 Liechtenstein U-21 Oliynyk 26, Lyopa 29, Yaroshenko 39, Gladkiy 41 (pen.), Antonov 53 Rybka, Dopilka, M. Pashaev, Lyopa (Zeldi 62), Yaroshenko, Oliynyk, Vernydub, Garmash (Butenin 77), Kurylov, Antonov, Gladkiy (Piyomov 62) B. Buchel, Rechsteiner, Wille, Beck, Buhler, Biedermann (Batliner 84), D. Spalt, Christen (Vogt 90), Erne (O. Spalt 58), S. Buchel, Hasler Yellow cards: Garmash 70 Yellow cards: S. Buchel 41 Missed penalty: Antonov 26

Probably the Football Federation thought that Zaporizhya public was not spoiled by international matches and would fill Slavutych Arena to a capacity. However the stadium was only half filled. Mykhailychenko thanked the crowd for the support after the match but expressed his hope that the game with Czech Republic on Wednesday would attract more spectators.

It was difficult to expect that the game would be so easy for the U-21 team. Ukrainians had problems winning the away game in Liechtenstein 1:3 and sealed their victory only in the last minutes when they scored the third goal.

However since the start of the Saturday's game it became clear that Liechtenstein U-21 team presented a quite sorry spectacle. I often watch games in Ukrainian Second League and can assume that such level would be suitable for the Pius Fischer team. They never managed to launch a sensible attack for the whole match.

Having discovered the weakness of their opponents, Ukrainians seemed to lose concentration and it took them a long time to break the deadlock. They organized the attacks well but there was no one to finish them. Even Gladkiy missed the empty net from 5 meters after a great pass by Antonov.

However it took Ukraine just another five minutes to succeed. Liechtenstein defender brought down Vitaliy Vernydub in the area although he was running away from goal. Antonov failed to score from the spot as the ball was parried by the keeper but Oliynyk came first for the rebound. However it was obvious even without video replay that Naftovyk player ran inside the box before the spot kick thus breaking the rules.

After that the things went swimmingly. The remainder of the first half saw three more goals. 2:0 - U-21 newcomer Garmash was fouled near the edge of the area and Lyopa sent the ball into the corner of the goal over the wall with a classy free kick. 3:0 - nice long shot by Yaroshenko went straight into the corner. Buchel was late to react although he might be able to save his goal. 4:0 - a penalty kick again as Stephan Buchel committed a foul attempting to tackle the ball. Olexandr Gladkiy had no problems converting this one.

The second half turned to a formality. Ukrainians did not want to hammer their opponents completely and scored just once. Active Antonov connected with the cross from the right by Oliynyk and headed the ball under the bar. It was possibly the best goal of the match although somebody might prefer Lyopa's free kick.

Ukraine played to their hearts' content but after Gladkiy and Lyopa were substituted the game wasn't as sharp. They needed to save some power for the game with Czechs on Wednesday.

Olexiy Mykhaylichenko, Ukraine U-21 national team head coach:

- I am happy with my team display, players completely fulfilled our plans for the game and easily achieved the necessary result. In the second half they began to forget themselves in playing, but the score allowed them to do that.

Our defense played for the first time in such lineup (Dopilka - Kurylov - Vernydub). We are looking for optimal compositions and we know Vernydub's potential well. We have not many players to choose for, so we have to experiment.

We may change the squad for the game with Czech Republic but I cannot say that for sure. Stepanenko's disqualification is now over, and we have several more quality players. Also injuries may happen.

The game and our trainings in Zaporizhya were organized on a good level but I would like more active fans' support during our game against Czechs.

Pius Fischer, Liechtenstein U-21 national team head coach:

I congratulate Ukrainians with their victory, you have a great team and strong players. We were worse in everything tonight and our defeat was deserved. Most of our players are not professional footballers and I think the referee was not impartial today. Ukraine is a beautiful country and Zaporizhya is a nice city!

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