Today FC Dynamo Kyiv played sparring against FC Astra Giurgiu, which was the first friendly at the second training camp in Marbella for the White-Blues.
Unlike Kyivans Astra headed by ex-Dynamo forward Oleh Protasov have already tumbled out of the Europa League.
In this match newcomer Vitorino Antunes made his debut for the White-Blues.
He was in the starting lineup and played as left lateral.
Serhiy Rebrov couldn’t count on Yevhen Khacheridi, who’s missed several training sessions because of stomach problems. Aleks Dragovic and Mykyta Burda were centre backs. Domagoj Vida performed on the right flank.
Serhiy Rybalka, Vitaliy Buialskyi and Serhiy Sydorchuk played in the midfield. Wingers were Jeremain Lens and Andriy Yarmolenko while the only finisher – Artem Kravets.
Oleh Protasov’s men created the first chance a couple of minutes into the game. Fatai almost eluded defenders, but eventually Dragovic didn’t let him score.
Right after that Dynamo hit the target. Sydorchuk put a low cross into the box, Astra keeper didn’t manage to clear the ball properly and Buialskyi netted it.
Romanian side had a good chance to equalize, but Shovkovskyi parried Fatai’s shot in one-on-one situation.
Still Astra scored three minutes after the break. Alibec hit the target from distance. 55 minutes into the match he slotted his team ahead due to mistake of Antunes.
Still Kyivans scored their equalizer very quickly. Lens found Kravets with a good pass and Artem didn’t miss in being one-on-one with goalkeeper.
Those, who took the field among Dynamo first eleven, played for about 60-70 minutes. After that Serhiy Rebrov made nine substitutions. The only performer to feature till the final whistle was Mykyta Burda.
So, Dynamo have played in a draw for the first time at winter training camps.
Sparring
06.02.2015. Spain. San Pedro de Alcantara. San Pedro Stadium. 50 spectators
FC Dynamo Kyiv – FC Astra Giurgiu – 2:2 (1:0)
Dynamo: Shovkovskyi (c) (Rybka, 46) – Vida (Betao (c), 65), Burda, Dragovic (Selin, 69), Antunes (Tsurikov, 69) – Rybalka (Kharatin, 65) – Yarmolenko (Miakushko, 65), Sydorchuk (Miguel, 61), Buialskyi (Belhanda, 61), Lens (Kalytvyntsev, 65) – Kravets (Teodorczyk, 65).
Astra (starting lineup): Arabatzis, Frorescu, Yahaya, Enache, Morais, Laban, Oros, Fatai, Selio, Rus, William.
Goals: Buialskyi (4), Kravets (57) – Alibec (48, 56).
FC Dynamo Kyiv opponent in the first sparring at the second training camp in Spain will be Romanian side FC Astra Giurgiu.
The history of this club started in 1921 as football team was formed in Ploiești. They headquartered in this town till 2012 and then moved to neighboring Giurgiu. From 1921 till 1998 Astra didn’t have any significant achievements. In 1997/1998 season they promoted to the Romanian Liga I for the first time. The team featured in Divizia A till 2003 and then Astra integrated into FC Petrolul Ploiești.
The club called Astra was restored two years later by Ioan Niculae. In four years they reached the Liga I again and perform there till now to some purpose. In 2012/2013 season the team finished second in domestic league and earned the right to make debut in the Europa League. Last season they became Liga I runners-up, Romanian Cup and Supercup winners and reached the Europa League group stage for the first time. In play-off round they outplayed Olympique Lyonnais (0:1 in Romania and 2:1 away, episode of the game pictured).
This season Astra are fourth in Liga I after the first half of the season lacking 13 points behind leader FC Steaua București. The best striker of the team is Constantin Budescu, who has 6 goals to his name.
Giurgiu side head coach is FC Dynamo Kyiv former player, Ukrainian Oleh Protasov. He took charge of the team in October of 2014. Led by him Astra finished fourth in the Europa League group with one win, one draw and four defeats.
Anyway next season Romanian side fans won’t see their team in euro cups as UEFA has disqualified Astra for financial fair-play violation.
FC Dynamo Kyiv will face FC Astra Giurgiu on February 6 in San Pedro.
