Ukraine looking for luck

Can you name a national team that has lost three play-offs in three recent qualification campaigns? That’s right, Ukraine. First they yielded way to Croatia ahead of the 1998 FIFA World Cup, then they were beaten by Slovenia for the right to play at EURO 2000™ , and in November 2001 they gave away a World Cup berth to Germany.

Last-gasp equaliser
However, there was a little bit of fortune too. In qualifying Group Four for EURO 2000™, Ukraine only squeezed into the play-off thanks to Andriy Shevchenko’s last-gasp equaliser in the final match against Russia in Moscow. The 1-1 draw took them to the play-off against Slovenia, which they lost 2-3 on aggregate.

Historic moments
There were some historic moments along the way. In the first group game, Ukraine beat rivals Russia 3-2 in Kiev. They also held world champions France to goalless draws both at home and away. Their form probably deserved them a place at the final tournament, but the pair of bleak games against unfancied Slovenia denied them a first trip to a major championship.

Much-needed win
The same story happened two years later. Ukraine earned a play-off spot by delivering a much-needed win in a key game against Belarus in Minsk, by virtue of a 2-0 victory. The result edged out the Belarussians and Norway in the battle for the runners-up spot behind runaway leaders Poland, who topped the group in sensational style.

Tough opponent
Poland proved a tough opponent for Ukraine from the very beginning of the World Cup campaign. In the very first qualifier, they went down 3-1 at home against a rampant Polish team. In the next two fixtures, they recovered their good form as they triumphed over Armenia (3-2) and Norway (1-0) away from home.

Fans disappointed
However, the fans were soon disappointed to see their team back home, as Ukraine produced a string of dull draws with Belarus, Wales, Norway, and Wales again. If it had not been for that emphatic 2-0 win in Minsk when Shevchenko scored twice, Ukraine would not have even earned a play-off spot. But the victory earned them the right to meet Germany for a ticket to Korea/Japan.

Coach stepped down
However it was a familiar story. Gemany enjoyed an easy 5-2 aggregate win, courtesy of three goals by Michael Ballack. After the tie, head coach Valeriy Lobanovskiy stepped down, and saw his former assistant Leonid Buryak take over to build a new squad. Ukrainians will be hoping that next time around it might go further than the play-offs.