Ukraine continue unbeaten run

Ukraine recorded their first victory under caretaker coach Yuri Kalitvintsev with a 2-1 victory against Chile – their sixth match without defeat as they build-up to UEFA EURO 2012.

Yaroslav Rakitskiy and Olexandr Aliyev ensured the finals co-hosts of victory despite Mauricio Isla's late strike for the South American team.
Continuing a policy of experimentation, Kalitvintsev handed starts to Vitali Mandzyuk, Olexandr Romanchuk, Igor Khudobyak and Yevhen Konoplyanka this time as his search for players continues, while at the other end of the experience scale Andriy Shevchenko made his 99th appearance for Ukraine.

The experienced FC Dynamo Kyiv striker was unable to mark it with a goal, however, squandering three one-on-one situations with goalkeeper Luis Marín in the first half alone. That said, Shevchenko made amends by setting up the opener on 37 minutes when he received Oleh Gusev's free-kick and chipped the ball to Rakitskiy, whose powerful shot flew past Marín.

Héctor Mancilla and Pedro Morales tested Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Dykan and with the visitors continuing to press, Kalitvintsev introduced Aliyev, who swiftly repaid his coach's faith with a long-range shot which went in off the far post on 65 minutes.

Having wasted chances to extend their lead on the counterttack through Rakitskiy and Shevchenko, Isla reduced the visitors' arrears three minutes from time. The Udinese Calcio defender could even have equalised in added time but for an excellent save by Dykan.