Besiktas solidity frustrates Dynamo

A fine defensive display tonight earned Besiktas JK a 0-0 draw at FC Dynamo Kyiv and progression to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup 3-1 on aggregate.

Starved of space
Following their first-leg win in Turkey, Besiktas arrived at Dynamo's Olimpiyskyi stadium with containment their main priority. From the kick-off, the Istanbul side dropped behind the ball in an attempt to starve the home side of space in the final third of the pitch.

Peev header
The game was just three minutes old when Gueorgui Peev had a goalbound header cleared off the line following a corner. After that there was much home possession but little in the way of danger for the Besiktas backline, which was well marshalled by Brazilian defender Zago.

Ghioane impressive
When Besiktas did manage to launch an attack, the impressive Dynamo sweeper Tiberiu Ghioane was on hand to intercept and keep his side moving forward. However, on 21 minutes Sergen Yalçin escaped two markers and was then hauled down by Vitaliy Lysytskyy who was promptly booked.

Shatskikh chance
Besiktas defender Ronaldo Guiaro was also yellow-carded soon after for a late tackle as Dynamo continued to probe for openings through the middle. On 33 minutes Maksim Shatskikh found space on the right flank, but his cross-shot lacked direction and power to worry goalkeeper Óscar Córdoba. Diogo Rincón then looped a header into Córdoba's arms and in the 43rd minute Jerko Leko summed up Dynamo's first-half performance as he hit a shot tamely at the goalkeeper from 12 metres.

Second-half pressure
An early goal after the break would have no doubt swung the tie back in the Ukrainian side's favour and on 46 minutes Besiktas defender Tolga Dogantez had to head a dangerous Valentin Belkevich cross away for a corner. Dynamo regained much of their earlier domination in the final 20 minutes of the game, with Rincón sending a header just the wrong side of the post and he then saw a shot cleared off the line by Zago.

Shatskikh stretch
On 73 minutes substitute Goran Gavrancic sent a header across the face of the Besiktas goal but Shatskikh could not stretch enough to reach the ball. With time running out Dynamo's attacks became more frantic and in the 79th minute Gavrancic put a half-volley over the crossbar from eight metres. They almost grabbed a victory with the last kick of the game, but Córdoba denied Belkevich with a flying save as the Turkish side moved into the fourth round.