Dynamo late show in Dublin
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Article summary
Drogheda United FC 1-2 FC Dynamo Kyiv
Olexandr Aliyev scored four minutes from time to give the Ukrainian champions a lead to defend next week.
Article top media content
Article body
FC Dynamo Kyiv's Olexandr Aliyev struck four minutes from time to send Irish title-holders Drogheda United FC to defeat on their UEFA Champions League debut in Dublin on Tuesday.
Decisive strike
Drogheda United had recovered from conceding an early Taras Mikhalik goal at Dalymount Park to equalise at the start of the second half through Adam Hughes. But their hopes of travelling to Ukraine on level terms on 6 August were ended when midfielder Aliyev got past marker Richie Barker to fire in the late winner.
Rally in vain
Dynamo had begun as well as they would finish this second qualifying round first leg. They took a 23rd-minute lead as Mikhalik connected with Ognjen Vukojević's free-kick to send the ball flashing past goalkeeper Jamie Ewings. The Drogheda custodian played a crucial part in keeping the score at 1-1 once midfielder Hughes had restored parity moments after half-time with a header from Fahrudin Kudozovic's cross. However, Ewings could do nothing about Aliyev's 86th-minute strike which broke Drogheda's sequence of five unbeaten European matches at their temporary Dalymount Park home. The tie concludes in Kiev next week.