June 19, 2006
SHEVCHENKO SHINES
Ukraine dominates Saudis 4-0

HAMBURG---After being stunned by Spain in the opening match 4-0, Ukraine came back and defeated Saudi Arabia by the same score Monday.

Andrii Shevchenko, showing the form that made him the European Football of the Year in 2004 scored a goal and set up another as Ukraine completely dominated the Saudis.

The Europeans struck early, in the fourth minute as Maksym Kalinichenko sent a corner kick into the goal box. Andrii Rusol jumped into open space and directed the ball into the net.

Shevchenko had several opportunities to score in the first half, ads he appeared to get his timing back after a poor performance against Spain. In the 13th minute, the new Chelsea striker sent a hard header on goal, only to have it cleared off the line by Hamad Al Montashari. Seven minutes later another Shevchenko shot made its way right at Saudi goalkeeper Mabrouk Zaid.

In the 36th minute, the Ukranians struck again, this time off the right foot of Sehii Rebrov, who blasted a 22 yard shot to the far corner of the net.

Another Shevchenko shot in the 45th minute was blocked by a defender inside the 6-yard box.

Ukraine’s all time leading scorer finally found his World Cup mark in the 46th minute on a ball played in from the left side line. Shevchenko got up between a pair of defenders and squarely headed the ball into the net for his 30th international goal.

Ukraine continued to put the pressure on the Saudis, who never gave up despite being outclassed. In the 65th minute Kalinichenko sent a shot from the top of the area off the cross bar, and in the 69th minute Shevchenko was denied on a pair of shots.

Kalinichenko finally got his marker in the 84th minute as Shevchenko made a nice run down the left and into the penalty area. With a quick look he dished the ball of to the Spartak Moskow midfielder who tucked it away.

Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin subbed out Shevchenko in favor of Artem Milevsky, who was making his first international appearance, but the heavily pro-Ukrainian crown in the rain drenched AOL Arena chanted for Shevchenko, who made a curtain call and waived to the cheering crowd.