Dogged Dnipro undo Utrecht
Thursday, 4 November 2004
By Jan Kerkhof at Nieuw Galgenwaard stadium
[1] FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk kept up their impressive start to UEFA Cup Group C with victory in the Netherlands against FC Utrecht.
Craft and graft
[2] The Ukrainian side had come from behind to edge past Belgian side Club Brugge KV 3-2 on Matchday 1 and showed the same blend of craft and graft on their way to collecting another precious three points here.
Rotan opener
[3] Utrecht, clearly wary of Dnipro's reputation as a fine counterattacking side, began cautiously, but were soon behind. Ruslan Rotan breached the Dutch side's defence in the eleventh minute, expertly placing the ball past goalkeeper René Ponk.
Missed opportunity
[4] That strike encouraged the home team to be more positive and Utrecht circulated the ball well in midfield, probing for chances. The tactics gradually paid dividends and led to the home team's best opportunity of the first half with a free-kick right outside the box, defender Edson Braafheid missing the target late in the period.
Semochko decider
[5] Utrecht continued to press at the outset of the second half. They dominated for long spells - but their efforts were to go unrewarded and Dnipro conformed to type by striking on the counter - the source of Dmytro Semochko's well-taken 83rd-minute goal.
Douglas consolation
[6] Midfield player Darl Douglas managed to pull a goal back for Utrecht in the final stages with a powerfully-struck effort from distance and the home team thrusted forward in search of an equaliser.
Victory secure
[7] But Dnipro held out and are now three points clear of second-placed FK Austria Wien, who they play next, while Utrecht are bottom after defeats in their opening two games and now need a result against Brugge on 25 November.
Dnipro's Serhiy Nazarenko (left) leaps with Hans van de Haar of Utrecht