Ukraine hopes dented by Iran

Ukraine 0-1 Iran
Ukraine's pre-EURO 2004™ qualifying plans were given a shock as Leonid Buryak's side fell to a friendly defeat against Iran tonight.

Indifferent display
Ukraine, without a host of key players including injured Milan AC star Andriy Shevchenko, produced an indifferent display at home, as Iran had Ali Daei to thank for an unexpected win.

Missing stars
Shevchenko, who had a knee operation on Monday and is not expected to return to training until October, was the hosts' biggest absentee, while Yuriy Dmytrullin, Vladislav Vashuk, Serhiy Fedorov, Olexandr Holovko and Dmytro Parfionov were also missing.

Rebrov lively
Tottenham Hotspur FC striker Serhiy Rebrov looked lively in the opening stages, firing a shot wide after just six minutes, but the visitors enjoyed the bulk of possession in which Daei blasted narrowly over the bar in the 18th minute.

Daei on target
The visitors continued their enterprising play in the second half and went ahead eleven minutes after the break. After Olexandr Shovkovsky had conceded an unnecessary corner, Daei stole in to tap the ball past the goalkeeper from the resulting cross.

Melaschenko chance
That prompted Buryak to make changes to his side, which included the substitution of Rebrov, who was replaced by Olexandr Melaschenko. The Ukrainians piled on the pressure in the closing stages but Melaschenko failed to convert a good chance in the last minute.

Away trip
Ukraine will be looking to bounce back when their EURO 2004™ qualifying campaign starts for real with a trip to Armenia on 7 September. Buryak's side also face Greece, Northern Ireland and Spain in Group 6.