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World-Ukraine coach says team fixing errors (article)

June 7th, 2006 | By: Andriy Korol | 9 Comments »

KIEV, June 7 (Reuters) - Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin praised his players on Wednesday for correcting shortcomings in their preparations for the World Cup ahead of their last warm-up game.

Blokhin said the team had adjusted well and lifted its game in the second half of its last two friendly matches, a draw against Italy and a win over Libya.

Ukraine captain Andriy Shevchenko sat out both matches with a knee injury but is due to start against Luxembourg on Thursday in Ukraine’s final warm-up match. They meet Spain next Wednesday in their opening World Cup fixture.

“There is a lack of harmony which makes our game unpredictable. But once we achieve that harmony, everything starts to work,” Blokhin was quoted as saying in comments reported on the Web site www.champion.com.ua.

“The same thing occurred (with Libya) as it did with Italy — we found our game in the second half.”

Ukraine scored two late goals after a shaky start in a 3-0 win over Libya following a scoreless draw against Italy. Both matches took place during the side’s final training camp in Switzerland.

Blokhin has been cautious about the prospects for his side, citing a rash of injuries at key positions — including Shevchenko and defender Serhiy Fyodorov.

Blokhin said the Libyan match was useful in that the team’s opponent had a similar style to Saudi Arabia — one of its group rivals in the World Cup, along with Tunisia.

Injuries have prompted Blokhin to dip into the line-up of Ukraine’s under-21 side, runners-up at the recent European championship in Portugal.

Four of those players were included in the squad, though Blokhin said they were exhausted after the championship and would be used “only in the last resort” in Germany.

Tags: blokhin, Ukraine

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Comments

By Miguelinho | June 7th, 2006 at 4:59 pm

If the guys get tired, Blokhin can always come in the game, right? He and Barcelona’s Rijkaard are probably two coaches who could put on a good show even today.

Posted from United States

By Andriy | June 8th, 2006 at 8:29 am

ya, i just also noticed that, watching the numbers change from work here :O)

everybody pumped for the kick off tomorrow ?

Posted from United States

By Stas | June 8th, 2006 at 11:37 am

SO who else predicts ukrain will beat spain?

I think they got a good chance…Spain is not a hard tough team…

Posted from Canada

By OPKO | June 8th, 2006 at 1:28 pm

It looks like the Luxembourg game has started… no Shevchenko in the line-up, but he is on the bench. Rebrov is playing.

Posted from Canada

By Miguelinho | June 8th, 2006 at 3:02 pm

Ukraine 3 - Luxembourg 0

Shevchenko came on for the last 32 minutes. Scored the second goal, from point-blank range.
Goals: 55′ Voronin, 83′ Shevchenko, 84′ Kalinichenko.

I wonder why they have been scoring mostly in the second half. Is it good match fitness coupled with poorer fitness of opponents? Is it the natural gelling that happens between players during a game?

Or is it all those substitutions and special instructions by Blokhin at half time? If so, I hope he just uses the best plan from the get-go against Spain/Saudi Arabia/Tunisia. They have all played many friendlies in recent days. I hope Blokhin watches all the tapes carefully, cause I know the other coaches are sure looking at Ukraine’s games - especially the second halves!

Posted from United States

By Andriy | June 8th, 2006 at 3:20 pm

did anybody actually watch the game btw ?

Posted from United States

By Miguelinho | June 8th, 2006 at 4:45 pm

Nope. I think it was only shown on Ukrainian networks. I only found a text-cast online.

Posted from United States

By Andriy.Ryba | June 9th, 2006 at 6:59 am

I watched it. First half was extremelly dissapointing. Second half we should have scored more goals.

Posted from United States

By Yevy | June 9th, 2006 at 10:22 am

I’m officially getting excited about Ukraine’s chances to make some noise at the tournament. Ukraine should have its best showing at the World Cup since ‘86 (when the USSR squad was 10 Dynamo Kiev players and Dasaev between the posts). If they beat Spain in the first match (not unrealistic) they are in the driver seat to win the group. Even a draw would have them in good position given Spain’s habit of falling on its face when the stakes get high. A second round match against South Korea or the Swiss would give Ukraine an opportunity to make it to the final eight and face Brazil - wouldn’t that be fantastic?

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