Aliyev puts Ukraine in charge
Friday, April 30, 2004
Article summary
Slovenia 1-4 Ukraine Two early Olexandr Aliyev goals put Ukraine on the cusp of qualification.
Article body
Ukraine on verge
The victory at the Ljudski vrt meant that Ukraine now require only a draw from their final game in Celje against England on Sunday to advance to the final tournament in Switzerland this summer. Mini-tournament hosts Slovenia need to beat Denmark by a good margin and hope that England - who defeated the Danes 3-0 this evening - overcome Ukraine to have any chance of claiming first place in the section.
Comfortable victory
After Aliyev's early double, Dmytro Vorobey added a third after 27 minutes. An own goal by Ukraine left-back Dmytro Chygrynskiy ten minutes before half-time gave Slovenia hope, but midfield player Olexandr Sytnyk restored Ukraine's three-goal cushion after the break and Slovenia were unable to find a way back into the match.
