Ukrainian first for Dynamo
Monday, July 12, 2004
Article summary
FC Dynamo Kyiv won the inaugural Ukrainian Super Cup with a penalty shoot-out victory against FC Shakhtar Donetsk.
Article body
Goalkeeping heroics
The inaugural Super Cup match, held in neutral Odessa, saw Dynamo goalkeeper Olexandr Shovkovski emerge as the hero in the shoot-out, first saving from Cosmin Barcauan, then stroking the winning penalty past opposite number Jan Lastuvka.
Surprising win
On the balance of play, Dynamo's win was a surprise, as Shakhtar had dominated possession throughout the game. The champions opened the scoring through Oleg Gusev's 21st-minute header from a Valentin Belkevich cross, but Shakhtar levelled 15 minutes from time through Mariusz Lewadnovski.
'Will to win'
Dynamo coach Oleksiy Mykhaylychenko said: "Our goal is to win every game and every tournament we play in. It was a very nervy match because Shakhtar are such dangerous opponents. In the end, both teams deserved to win, but we got lucky."
Defensive lapse
"We played well from the start but they opened the scoring thanks to a lack of communication in our defence," Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu said. "After that, we created some chances of our own and finally got the equaliser. Then all the luck was on Dynamo's side in the penalties."
