Ukraine draw a blank in Minsk
Wednesday 9 September 2009
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Andriy Shevchenko had six attempts on the Belarus goal (©Getty Images)
Ukraine missed their chance to join Croatia on 17 points in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 6 after a game of many chances but no goals in Minsk.
Shevchenko keen
Looking to redeem themselves after back-to-back defeats against Croatia, Belarus were in no mood to roll over, but found visiting captain Andriy Shevchenko in enthusiastic form, with a 22nd-minute effort the most dangerous of his six shots on Yury Zhevnov's goal. Belarus skipper Aleksandr Hleb was also in fine form, though it was Sergei Kornilenko who had the hosts' best chance of the first half, firing just wide after 31 minutes.
Fine save
Ukraine looked to turn the screw after the break with Andriy Yarmolenko going close on 54 minutes, while Minsk-born Artem Milevskiy's run on goal foundered with just six metres to go five minutes later. Bernd Stange's side regained their composure thereafter, with a free-kick from substitute Leonid Kovel drawing a fine save from Andriy Pyatov, who also fended away Kornilenko's shot from distance. Pyatov then denied Hleb in a one-on-one late on. Belarus host Kazakhstan on 10 October, with England visiting Ukraine the same day.
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